En Garde

by Ficsoutofmysystem (HJ1)

Summary:

Lena is the PTA President at her son’s school and all is well until Kara Danvers’ son transfers to it. The same Kara Danvers that was responsible for sending Lena’s family to prison years ago. And Lena is absolutely convinced she hates Kara, that is, until she meets her. The blonde happens to be gorgeous and charming, and, is she also flirting with Lena?

Notes:

I wrote most of this fic a couple years ago but never finished it and i got so starved for Supercorp content while obsessing over another fic from another author that I decided to pick this up and post it after some more detailed edits. I was inspired by some funny parts from the movie Bad Moms and have freely borrowed some parts of the script and plot. But most of it is just Lena thinking she hates Kara while its going from enemies to lovers. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1: All warfare is based on deception

 

“En garde,” stated Lena as she took her position during the fencing match, facing her opponent. A drop of sweat rolled down her chest from the strain of the fight. She stood with her right foot in front and kept her eyes steady on his movements. Her fencing mask was no different to the mask she wore every day, an ice-cold demeanor that allowed people to look at her but not truly see her. She’d made proficient use of this mask along the years; it had worked in her house with Lillian and Lex, it had worked throughout her entire career in a male dominated industry, and it worked wonders as PTA president of her son’s school. Granted, it had earned her a reputation of being an intimidating bitch, but she personally preferred it that way anyhow.

Outside of her scientific work, Lena enjoyed sticking to what she knew best, to where she excelled. Fencing was one of the places. Few things were as satisfying as defeating a formidable foe and this one was that indeed, but unlike the majority of times she engaged in any battle, be it of wits or of sport, she wasn’t usually facing a 10-year-old, nor would she be coaching those opponents in the hopes that they’d win and she’d lose. 

“Knees over toes Logan,” she directed.

The 10-year-old, shorter in stature by a couple inches but close to catching up, kicked forward with their left foot, as it were, since they were lefties, reaching very close to her just as she moved back.

“Good, heel first always, not the toe,” she commended.

It was a good effort, but he need not get cocky. She surprised him with a return attack, pushing off from her back leg flawlessly and striking right in the torso.

She backed away and the boy immediately moved back, recognizing defeat. “And that’s five,” he said as he removed his mask and helmet.

“You were very close, only one strike away, you should be proud,” she stated as she removed her gear as well, a smile on her face as she did so. 

“I am, I’m getting better. I almost had you,” he said proudly, grinning.

“You’ll be better than me in no time if you keep practicing,” she stated as they both walked to the changing room.

“I hope so, but you were practically an Olympic athlete mom,” he said.

“Don’t sell yourself short darling, I practiced every day, and if you do so as well, you’ll get better than me,” she reminded him. “Now drink some water, get changed, shower and let’s have dinner,” she said.

He nodded and proceeded to do as his mother told him. She was relishing these pre-teen years where he still listened to her rather than put up a fight. She knew those years were coming later. 

Lena herself rushed to her own room to do the same without wasting precious minutes. She prided herself in being a master time manager.

Lena though, had tended towards a little more flexibility since she became a parent all those years ago. But as she saw it, a schedule and routine gave children security and safety, so she didn’t compromise too much. While other kids were playing video games unsupervised and watching useless TikToks, Logan was either fencing, playing basketball at school, horseback riding, or cooking, the latter a hobby he adopted on his own. 

Despite Lena’s pride in her parenting, there were no shortage of parents and even teachers who criticized her for being too strict and unaffectionate, though never to her face of course. But Lena was committed to raising a disciplined person, and there was no shortage of affection towards her son. If anything, Logan had been the person she’d been most affectionate with in her entire life. Friends were nice, sure, or should she say friend, as she only had one, Sam. And lovers in any permanent capacity were out of the question, these were things not suited for a Luthor except for casual meets where they would never cross paths with her son.  

Logan was in the kitchen just in time.

She pulled out his favorite apron and put it on him, then grabbed her own. 

“What are we cooking tonight?” she asked. 

“Scallops with quail eggs, and cherry tomatoes,” he explained as he took the scallops out of the fridge. 

“Ooh, sounds interesting,” noted Lena. 

“Yeah, I saw a recipe for it online,” he said as he pulled out his mother’s phone and looked up the recipe. 

Lena smiled, “I’ll show you a little secret with the scallops, you’re going to love it,” she said as she began pulling out a skillet. 

She watched him grin with excitement and it warmed her up inside. 

Screw all those parents, Lena was a stellar mother. 

---

“Oh golly, we are going to be so late, your aunt Alex is going to kill me, she told me not to be late but breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right?” said Kara as she rushed with morning eggs she was making with her son Dean. “Oh my God, the bread!” she nearly yelled as she recalled having left the bread in the toaster.

“I got it mom, took it out a few minutes ago,” Dean said as he took a seat by the table.

“Phew, thanks buddy,” Kara stated with relief as she slid the fried eggs from the pan to Dean’s plate.

“Did you add salt and pepper?” asked Dean.

Her eyes widened. “Completely forgot,” she confessed.

“I got it, it’s okay,” he said as he reached for the shakers and seasoned both their eggs.

“Thanks for the help buddy,” Kara said. “Sorry the eggs are a bit dry.”

“That’s alright, I think you did much better than last time. You’re definitely improving,” he said consoling her as he took a bite of his food. 

Kara knew she was a mess in the kitchen, but she was thankful her son wasn't picky and helped when she asked, even liked to take the initiative himself, probably as a result of her hideous cooking, but still, that was a lot coming from a pre-teen. Especially one who had to deal with his parents’ divorce. 

She was still impressed by how he had handled it. It’s a good thing she hadn’t managed to completely screw him up yet, at least not evidently so.

She’d had a harder time with the divorce she’d dare say. But these days she found pride in her single parenting. She’d almost forgotten her ex-husband existed seeing as he barely ever bothered to visit or call his son or pay his child support. No one would have believed her if she’d told them that during the divorce he had fought her tooth and nail for equal custody and that she had believed he’d show up. But a job on the other side of the city and a new girlfriend (barely into college) was more important than his son, apparently.

Kara: Dean missed you this weekend. [7:25 a.m.]

Mike: yeah sorry, got caught up. Tell him I’ll make it up to him [7:25 a.m.]

She rolled her eyes. Sometimes he really got on her nerves. Dean deserved a parent who would show up. She put her phone away as she packed Dean’s backpack quickly, reminded him of his sweater, gave him some money for lunch and rushed out with him to the garage.

She ran back inside when Dean asked to turn the car on, and she remembered she had forgotten the car keys. But just as she was about to reach for them, she saw the keys to Mike's mustang. His prized possession. He loved the car, he just never drove it after it got a scratch once upon a time, with the exception of showing it off to his friends. He wanted the car now of course, but he hadn’t paid for its shipping, and Kara was not willing to lend him a cent while he still owed her child support.

She wasn't typically mean or one for a vendetta, but moms weren’t a lot of things until someone hurt their kids. She worried for a moment about what the moms at the school would say. It was a new school, and she was already joining quite late in the year; it was a miracle she had gotten in in the first place but recommendations from Cat Grant went a long way. 

But it would just be for today, no one would see her, she rationalized. She’d sign him up for the bus asap. She grabbed the keys with the flashy and highly inappropriate breasts keychain and headed out.

“Let’s go, we’re taking daddy’s special car today,” she said.

“Um, we are?” Dean asked, surprised.

“Oh yeah, we’re late and it’ll cut the distance short, plus it’ll make you look super cool, and you can put any music you want on the way.”.

Dean grinned wide and ran to the front seat of the car.

“Seatbelts,” Kara said once inside. 

He plucked the seatbelt in without complaint and connected the Bluetooth to his phone and browsed through his playlist.

Kara fixed the car seat, checked the mirrors and adjusted them, and then turned the raging motor on.

---

Lena made her way out of the school after dropping Logan off. She had stayed a bit later to have a quick run through of the classrooms and the school grounds just to make sure everything was up to her standards. Lena wasn’t just head of the PTA, she was also an important patron of the school, hell she practically owned half of it at this point. 

“Everything looks great with the new paint,” Jess complimented as she walked beside Lena. Jess, a match made in heaven for her, if there were such a thing as that for assistants, had transitioned from her ‘mostly work and sometimes PTA matters assistant’ to her ‘mostly PTA and sometimes work matters assistant’ some years back. 

“Yes it does, good as new,” Lena confirmed as she counted each school door, one of her many obsessive-compulsive habits. 

“First month was a success, starting our second month strong,” said Sam, Lena’s best friend, also CEO of one of her many companies. Her daughter Ruby, who was a couple years older than Logan, also went to the school.

“All kids in class, all moms on time. I think that’s a record. If they could give prizes for these things, we’d get first place,” stated Jess.

Sam rolled her eyes. She didn’t see the point in Lena’s (and apparently now Jess’s) obsession with their kid’s school beyond making sure it had good standards. But Lena’s standards were something else entirely. 

“They do give prizes, they call that funding, and I make sure this school operates like clockwork, so we get the most,” clarified Lena confidently. “What’s on the agenda today?” she asked Jess as they passed the main school entrance. 

But before Jess could answer, they were distracted by some moms gushing over a Mr. tall, dark and handsome, William Dey. A recent addition to the school’s parents, all the way from London with his young daughter, Mila who was in primary school. 

“Good morning Mr. Dey”, some of the moms chanted in a choir of blatant sexual thirst.

“Morning guys,” he said back politely.

“I love your tie, goes with your accent,” said another mom, emphasizing the word ‘love’ a little too much to be subtle. As for the accent, well, it perhaps was a little unusual in her school, but for the love of God, could the moms keep it in their pants? 

“Thanks,” he responded, looking down at his tie, as if noticing how ordinary it was. Lena had many that were ten times better. “It’s blue,” he commented awkwardly. The moms exploded in flirtatious laughter. “OhmyGodyou’resofunny,” said one of them, rambling the whole sentence as if it were one word, her fingers twirling in her hair. 

William smiled, his face confused, and then he politely walked off. 

“I would let him put it in my butt,” said one of the moms once he was out of range. The lot of them were staring as he walked away, “like in theory I’m against all butt stuff, but I would let him go to town back there…” Lena heard her say, nearly making her shudder if it weren’t for the fact that she was practiced in the art of not giving a fuck about men and the women drooling over them. 

“Gosh the widower is hot,” said Jess, snapping Lena back to their circle but the same type of conversation she was dying to escape. 

“He’s alright,” said Lena stiffly as they walked to the car by the pick-up area, where her driver was waiting for them.

“Lena, come on, we’re not blind,” said Sam, “Besides, he’s nice, which is more than I can say for most good-looking men.”

“He is timely and well put together, and follows all the school rules,” Lena said. It was unrelated to the comments just said but she wasn’t willing to praise him on anything else. “Jess, the agenda,” Lena reminded, returning to matters of higher importance than a school dad who had absolutely no pertinence to her life. 

Jess took a last glance at William before focusing on her tablet. She then began numerating the various tasks and meetings of the week.

As all three of them approached Lena’s car and got inside, Lena caught a glimpse of the school drop off.

A red mustang drove up, music blasting, breaking loudly, screeching and staining the pavement with tire marks. A boy who she didn’t pay much attention to as she tried to make out the driver, opened the door and ran into the school. 

Who on earth would dare to show up in a car like that at this school? And fucking late for class. A school mom? Unlikely, reasoned Lena. Probably a divorced dad going through his midlife crisis. Had she not been pressed on time, as she always was, she would have told her chauffeur to stop so she could have a proper look at this reckless driver and give him a well-earned reprimand. But since she was in a good mood today, she decided to ignore what she hoped would be a one-time lapse in judgment from that driver and let it slide just this once. 

She returned her focus to the tasks Jess was still numerating as the chauffeur slowly took off. “First basketball game of the season in 2 weeks–” 

Her car hit hard brakes, the force sending all three of them forward just moments into the drive. The abrupt stop sent an instant jolt of anger through her veins. She was about to chastise the driver for his carelessness when she noticed the red mustang driving off in front of them at top speed.

“Whoa!” Sam exclaimed. 

“I’m sorry miss Luthor, I didn’t see the car, it came in so fast,” clarified the driver, his voice trembling from what she might do to him.

Jess mumbled a ‘jerk’ and adjusted herself back on the seat and put her seatbelt on this time.

“Be more attentive next time,” Lena sternly told the driver. 

This midlife crisis mustang driver clearly cared little for speed limits and overall safety on school areas, and just like that her good mood and forgiving attitude faded away. “Find out who was driving that car,” Lena told Jess.

“Yes, miss Luthor, on it,” stated Jess as she added it to her never ending to-do list.

---

Later that afternoon in the middle of her forced lunch by Sam and a quick reread of The Art of War, Lena’s phone rang. An unknown number on her personal phone made her blink twice. 

She picked it up nonetheless. 

An automated attendant voice answered. “Do you accept a call from National City Prison? To Accept, press 1. To reject the call, press 2.”

Lex? Mother? Lena wondered. She felt all the blood rush to her stomach, to an endless pit that absorbed all the heat from her fingertips and left them trembling. She had barely spoken to them since the trial (aside from allowing Lillian occasional supervised conversations with her grandson). She had wanted to visit at times of weakness, but her lawyers and even Lilian had told her it was best to distance herself. 

A dozen conversations before that hadn’t ended on a good note either, it rarely ever did with her family, which was why this call only made her feel nauseated on top of all her other symptoms. 

Still, she pressed 1. 

“Hello dear,” she heard the voice almost immediately, cordial, a hint of arrogance with class. She wondered how her mother managed that even being imprisoned.

“Mother,” she replied callously, keeping it short so Lilian wouldn’t hear the slight quiver in her voice that only her mother evoked and so easily detected. 

“She’s coming for you,” said Lilian. 

“Who?” Lena raised a brow. It was never a regular conversation with her mother, but now it was starting to sound like conspiracy theories, and she feared Lilian’s mental state, diagnosed by Lena as narcissism and misanthropy, had finally plummeted into something more serious.

“A little bird told me that the…” she paused, and Lena could faintly hear Lilian take a breath before spitting out in contempt, “reporter is now in the suburbs with you, in your school even. I doubt it’s a coincidence.”

Lena attempted to act casual, but the word ‘reporter’ created a knot in her throat. “Who told you that?” she asked, “I thought you had lost all your connections.” 

“She’s there to finish what she started,” Lilian responded, ignoring Lena’s question and commentary. “She won’t stop until every Luthor is behind bars. And since you’re the only Luthor left that isn’t in prison… I think you know what that means,” Lilian said. “You know what to do,” her mother added. From her tone, Lena could feel how Lilian’s mouth tilted, turning into a mischievous smile, even without seeing her. 

Lena breathed out and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Her mother was quite dramatic at times. At least Lena liked to pretend that drama was all it was. She knew too well that Lilian was dead serious and completely capable of murder. She had been accused of it on multiple counts, all downplayed to ‘alleged murders’ and buried away and thrown out of court thanks to expensive lawyers. But anyhow, now, with the situation as it were, her mother completely cut off from her fortune and (nearly all) her contacts, it was unlikely she’d be able to set up a murder for hire and get away with it. 

“I’m not going to have someone killed, mother. I do things differently, and I can handle myself. I’ve certainly done it so far, no thanks to you,” Lena responded, reminding Lillian of what they had done to her, of how she and Lex had betrayed her. It was begrudging, but she could hardly let go of so much piled up pain so easily.

“It has been thanks to me,” countered Lilian in scorn, breaking Lena’s attempted guilt trip and yet again frustrating her, “I raised you, and every bit of drive and ruthlessness you have is from me, so I know exactly what you’re capable of dear, don’t think you can fool me.” 

Just as Lena had taken her chance to attack, Lilian had taken hers to remind Lena of what she could never outrun, her abhorrent Luthor DNA. 

“Now don’t let that deceitful and wretched little reporter ruin you like she did your brother and I,” Lilian said with spite, loud and clear this time, no more hiding behind cordial tones. 

“I already faced ruin once, mother, because of you and Lex. And I don’t need the advice of a convicted felon, who still refuses to admit guilt. You’d be better off simply admitting that you were outsmarted by a reporter and the authorities.”

“Don’t you dare defend that contemptible reporter, or anyone who helped bring us down,” Lilian chimed in with animosity, not a hint of remorse ever present in her voice. 

“The reporter might have exposed all your crimes, and the FBI might have frozen almost all our assets, but it was you mother, you and Lex who had made those choices in the first place. And you have only yourselves to blame,” said Lena, pushing her mother to see through the facade she held, even though Lena also held contempt towards said reporter for all the damage she had done to her family. Because even if her family had deserved it, Lena had been left with no one, and even their toxic love felt better than loneliness at first. 

“The point is, mother,” Lena continued with some difficulty, but using her well-taught poker voice to hide any pain, “I’ll be damned if I have to go through that again. It was nearly impossible to rebuild my company from the ashes and relaunch it as a force for good after all yours and Lex’s crimes were exposed.”

“Our company,” Lillian corrected to Lena’s irritation. It had been her father’s company first, meant to be inherited by her until he’d gotten sick and Lex had manipulated him in his last days to sign everything to him instead, effectively shutting Lena out and subjecting her to Lex and Lillian’s control throughout her teen years instead. 

But she took a silent breath and continued as if Lillian hadn’t spoken, “and I will protect myself, like I always have. I don’t need your advice and I will handle it as I see fit. Goodbye mother,” Lena finished off.   

“As long as you handle it, that’s good enough for me dear,” added Lilian just before Lena ended the call.

Lena’s shoulders fell. She felt depleted though the call was less than 5 minutes long. 

Her lunch had gotten cold on her desk, and she was little tempted to heat it up or to eat anything at all any longer. Sam would have to forgive her for skipping a meal.

And whomever her mother’s contacts still were, they were unequivocally wrong. If said reporter had somehow was a new addition to her school parents, Lena would be the first to know. Jess would have immediately informed her. Even Sam, knowing their history, would have told her if she’d heard something. Lena could rest assured that she’d never set eyes on that person ever again. 

---

Kara hurried helplessly through the halls that Tuesday, searching for the admissions office. The secretary had been nice enough to be discrete about the first check (Mike’s payment) bouncing, but that meant Kara had to go and make the first payment personally. 

She made her way through the halls, looking at her phone when she’d gotten a news update and bumping into someone seconds later, dropping it on the ground. 

She looked up quickly after that, and a gorgeous stranger stood there. He’d quickly picked up her phone and was holding it up for her, staring, worried and embarrassed about the run-in. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, are you okay?” he asked, his hand floating by her side as if to catch her if she fell. 

She smiled, a bit surprised at the foreign accent and taking her phone. “Yeah, thanks. I’m okay, no worries, it was my fault anyway, I was trying to find the student admissions office but Taylor Swift is dropping a new album so I got distracted,” she joked as she adjusted her glasses. 

He smiled back and his arms relaxed. “You’re new.”

“Yes, just joined the school. Well, my son did,” she explained.

“What grade is he in?” he asked. 

Kara tried to assess whether he was making conversation out of politeness or if there was something more. 

“He's in 6th grade.”

“Mine’s in 4th,” he said as he looked at her, his smile widening. 

“Cool,” she answered, and she looked down a bit shily, unsure of how to move on. “Do you have any idea where the admissions office is?” she asked. 

“Oh, right. It’s down that hall, to the left, 5th door down,” he told her. 

“Oh, great, thanks,” she said with relief at finally knowing where she was headed. “I’m Kara Danvers by the way,” she said as she extended a hand. 

“William Dey,” he said as he took her hand and shook it, “Pleasure to make your acquaintance Kara Danvers.” 

Kara smiled back, “You too.” 

He smiled, holding on to her a little too long. She was normally not shy for a chat, but she was in a hurry. “I’ll see you around,” she said as she walked away. 

He wasn't so bad, Kara thought. She took a quick look back at him before heading to her destination. Or what she thought was her destination. Had he said 4th or 5th door?

---

“Meeting adjourned,” said Lena to all the mothers present with her at the PTA board meeting she was having at the school that Tuesday. 

It had been a productive meeting. Lena was satisfied with how it had gone. They had set dates for the bake sale and many other important school events. 

The moms stood, grabbed their things and promptly began leaving. Jess and the driver were 20 minutes away, so she took the time to respond to some emails. She was about to leave when the door to the room was unceremoniously pushed open. 

Before her stood a blonde with her hair tied behind her head, and glasses on her, wearing slacks and a blue button up shirt. 

Lena recognized her instantly. How could she not? The memory of her engraved in her mind. The blonde looked a little different than the last time she had seen her, at the trial. She looked a little disordered, in a hurry. Her face was a little more mature, but the few years didn’t weigh her down. And she had a kind and inviting disposition even if she’d been taken aback by the sight of Lena. 

The trial where Lena had last seen her vividly played in her head. 

She remembered as she stood there on the witness stand, testifying against her mother and Lex. They’d shut her out of the business since her father’s death, and what little she knew was of no consequence here. The state attorney hadn’t asked her there for testimony on their crimes, he’d wanted her there as evidence of their shrewd and corrupt character. 

And he’d just asked her a damning question when she’d inexplicably chosen to look at the reporter who had started all this, sitting in the front rows, bearing witness to this torture as it unfolded. She could see her frowning, their jaw tight, lips pressed, staring intently back at Lena. 

It wasn’t a look of intimidation, nor did she show a vile look of pleasure at having Lena up there being asked a question that might make all the difference with the jury. Instead, the blonde seemed curious as to what Lena would say. She even looked concerned. Lena figured it was concern that she’d lie on the stand to protect her family.

Lena then looked at her mother and Lex. He looked calm and collected and her mother feigned the same emotion, but Lena saw right through it, and she saw fear for once. 

Most of her life, Lena had felt helpless, powerless before her brother and mother. “Yes Lex” and “yes mother” were the most commonly used and expected words out of her mouth. She’d be punished if she’d say anything contrary and she’d learned to live with her words meaning close to nothing. But on that day, what she said had actual weight, it would be heard, it mattered, it could sway the whole trial. The opinions that her mother always taught her were so important, those same opinions that made her feel chained and compelled to look or act a certain way, the ones she absolutely abhorred were now the one thing that gave Lena the power to maybe put her family away. 

When Lena finally got that power, any power, she learned how to wield it, for better or for worse. And so she had that day, for better and worse. Her words made an impact on the jury that eventually decided on a verdict of guilty for 37 counts of crimes Lena had been physically sick to hear the first time. 

Right after she’d answered, she had looked back at the blonde. She seemed shocked by the answer and then relieved. They locked eyes with Lena and pursed her lips again with a look of sadness and understanding. But how could she possibly understand? She had made Lena destroy her own family, no matter how vile they were. And in that moment, Lena despised every ounce of her being.

By the end of it all, Lena had helped send her family to prison, but she’d also freed herself. She’d burned Luthor Corp to ashes, but she’d opened the door to the phoenix that would soon be L Corp. Though she couldn’t see any of it at the time. And it didn’t matter that it had all started with that reporter’s article, Lena’s resentment against the woman had unfortunately cemented itself in her body.

Resentment that was finding its way back to the surface this very instant as she looked at the blonde standing right in front of her.  

“hello, is this the ad-,” Kara stopped smack in the middle of the sentence. 

But rather than turn around and walk out, she kept walking in, closer to where Lena stood.

“Oh, hi,” she said after a recognition of the person in front of her and a long silence. 

“Hello,” answered Lena, her heart beating quickly but she stood tall, her burgundy suit shining in the light of the room.

The blonde cleared her throat, “I’m…” she stumbled, “Kara Danvers, but you probably know that,” she said as she looked to the ground and then back up, as if she’d gotten a reminder to make eye contact, and then she adjusted her glasses. 

Lena contemplated what to answer. Of all the things she had planned for today, this was not one of them, not this day or any other day this week, or month, or year because she’d discarded her mother’s words entirely, letting her guard down and allowing this. To Lena’s absolute dismay, her mother had been right. The blonde was now in the school, her school. It was difficult to think it was all a coincidence.

What could she say to the woman that had caused her so much harm and was now standing before her looking like a lost deer in headlights?

Should she run her over? She’d like nothing more. 

“Looking for a new story? Have you spent the last few years plotting this, thinking you’ll come here, investigate me and find out that I’m just like my mother or brother? You won’t, because I’ll tell you what I've spent the last 6 years doing. I have spent them making this school the best school it could possibly be for my son. And because of you I have had to deal with harassment, vandalism, threats to my son’s life, my life, and just about everything else you can imagine short of having blood thrown at me from a bucket. Oh, wait, they did that too. So, if you think you’re coming here to ambush me, deceive me, or bring down the last Luthor that you couldn’t get,” she paused for effect and Kara was refusing to make eye contact, but Lena’s stare brought the blonde’s eyes back to her own, “you are dead wrong.” 

She had gone straight to the point. Not exactly the tactic The Art of War taught her, nor the one the Luthor’s used, but Lena was tired of it all. And more so, she’d spent years trying to unlearn all those devious behaviors, she didn’t want to bring them back. But she’d never had a chance to confront the reporter. She’d never actually formally met her until now.

“That’s not what I’m here for,” Kara replied. “But I promise I’m not here to fight. I…” she drifted as if second guessing her words, then stepped even closer, “I want us to be friends.” 

“Friends?” Lena spat back, “that ship sailed when you wrote that article. And long before that because I know your cousin Clark had been after Lex for years, he was rarely subtle about it. But it was you who put the final nail on the coffin. What is it about your family coming after mine?”

Kara adjusted her glasses and looked away before meeting Lena’s eyes. “We’re reporters. And you know what your family did,” she stated. “And I know it must have been hard for you, but-”

“You have no idea,” Lena interrupted, “you have no clue what I’ve endured, what you put me and my family through. And it goes without saying but here I am laying it out for you. A Danvers and a Luthor could never be friends, in this life or any life for that matter.”

Kara said nothing back. With no response from her, she turned around and left. 

At least that's how the conversation had gone in Lena’s head in a matter of seconds. But none of it had actually happened. Lena had gone quiet after Kara had spoken. And the fact was, the brunette knew better than to actually say how she felt. A conversation like that would not have been chess, or an artful war. That would have been a display of weakness, lack of composure, complete lunacy. That was unlike a Luthor, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was a Luthor.    

“Yes, I know who you are,” Lena spoke at last. 

Kara, who seemed to have been holding her breath the entire pause, finally let it out. “I… I was looking for the admissions office.” 

“Hmm. It’s the next door to the right.”

“Thank you,” Kara said, but didn’t move. “I… I’m not really sure how to do this.”

“Do what?”

“I researched this school before coming here and it blew my mind. And I don’t know how to tell you that I mean you no harm, that I’m only here to fix some paperwork to finish enrolling my son in the school. 

Lies, Lena thought as the blonde continued.

“And I’m not here in any reporter capacity, I’m not trying to ambush you or investigate you in any way.”

More lies. 

“I just wanted to put my son in a good school,” the blonde finished. 

That part at least was true, thought Lena. 

Lena’s eyes never left Kara. “You just did,” the brunette replied. 

Kara let out an unsure smile. “So… what now?”

“What now indeed.”

Kara frowned, trying to make something out of Lena’s voice or face, but failing to do so. She stepped closer to Lena. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. And I can’t imagine how you feel about me, but you’ll forgive me if I assume it’s one of two options. The first and worst being you hate me for what I did, and would rather we completely avoid each other at school, which I’d understand perfectly.”

Lena nearly scoffed but held herself. Is that what Kara thought the worst she could feel about her was? Kara had no clue the kind of grudge Luthors could hold. 

Kara went on when Lena said nothing. “And the second is that you have somehow forgiven me or understood my actions and are willing to put it all behind and have some kind of… truce.”

Lena would have gagged if it wasn’t unbecoming of her. But instead, she did what years of Luthor training had taught her. She put on a pretend smile, and began playing strategy. All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive, right Sun Tzu? 

“And if it’s the second?” she proposed.

Kara let out another breath of relief. She then smiled wide. “Then I could not be happier.”

Lena smiled slightly. “So what now?”

“I don’t know, I was kind of thinking you’d go for the first option. How about an old fashioned handshake, to solidify the truce,” the blonde said with a grin as she put her hand out. 

Lena looked at it. She stepped closer to Kara. If she’d had a knife, she might have stabbed the blonde with it. But instead, she took the blonde’s hand. “Truce,” she said, swallowing her bile. 

“Truce,” Kara said happily as they shook. “And who knows, maybe you and I could grow to be friends,” the blonde added. 

Lena accidentally squeezed Kara’s hand harder at the repulsive suggestion, but quickly corrected herself. “Maybe,” she replied. 

They let go and the blonde waved goodbye as she left down the hall to the correct office. She signed some papers the secretary had set out for her and then handed over a check.

Before leaving she looked around the room and found a framed photo of Lena. Beneath it read ‘President of the Parent-Teacher Association’ 2023-2024. 

“Ms. Luthor has been president of the PTA for several years running,” the secretary, a young woman with a flawless eyeliner, commented when she noticed Kara staring.

“She must be a really involved parent then,” Kara replied. 

“Yes, she is. A little too involved, some might say.”

Kara wanted to ask about that, but before she could the secretary spoke again. “Isn’t Ms. Luthor just stunning though? Drop dead gorgeous,” said the secretary.

Kara let out a small smile as she looked at the photo. “Yes, she is.”

 

Chapter 2: The Bake Sale

Notes:

This is a loooong chapter, prepare yourselves

 

Kara pressed the delete key furiously and erased what she had typed in before. She was trying to write something, anything that was worth sending to Cat, but she’d been a little blocked lately. She’d promised Cat that she’d still deliver great work even with all the changes around her (like working from home), and she wanted to keep that promise. When Kara had texted Cat for advice with her writer’s block, the woman had responded that Kara had a perfect opportunity for a story, any kind of story, with Lena right there in suburbia with her. But if Kara was going to do that, she wanted a worthy story, and more importantly, she wanted Lena’s direct involvement and permission, and they weren’t at a place that Kara could ask for that just yet. So she put that on standby and told Cat it wasn’t an option for the time being. 

Meanwhile, her personal email piled up and Kara went exploring the news for anything else worthwhile in this place. Not a couple minutes into her online exploration when Kara had found herself looking into Lena and L Corp. It was different from the first time she’d done all her research years ago, back when it was called Luthor Corp and Kara’s intentions were focused on Lena’s family crimes. Now, Kara could see with fresh eyes everything she had missed about Lena, all her accomplishments and now the impact of L Corp since Lena had taken over. 

She’d gotten so caught up in the search that she almost hadn’t noticed the string of messages from Alex. 

Alex - Where are you ? [3:15 p.m.]

Alex - You are late [3:15 p.m.]

Alex - Did you forget? [3:15 p.m.]

Alex - Why do you never check your email?! [3:16 p.m.]

Alex - The PTA meeting is happening right now! [3:16 p.m.]

Alex - Tell me you’re on your way [3:17 p.m.]

Golly. The PTA meeting. Kara had forgotten about that email. Although technically, she had never opened the email at all, only glanced at the title.

She pushed her chair back and rushed to her closet to change from her slippers. She was still in her work clothes for the most part (she liked to dress up in her work clothes so she’d feel more productive- with the exception of the shoes), so she grabbed her purse, her jacket and got ready to go.

“Dean, I’m going out to the PTA meeting,” she called out to her son in his room.

“There’s a PTA meeting?” he asked in confusion as he came out to the kitchen where Kara had been working (sort of).

“Yeah, anyway, you know the emergency numbers. Keep your phone with you and with sound on. I shouldn’t be long, okay. Lock the door behind me,” she said in a quick babble as she finished wearing her shoes. “I’m calling Nia to come watch you, I’ll make sure she’s right over. God I hope she doesn’t have something better to do.”

“Okay, have fun mom, or whatever moms do in those things,” he said with a smile as he walked towards the door and held it open for her. “Can you get some dinner on the way back?”

“Sure thing buddy. Thank you, love you,” she said as she gave him a kiss and rushed out. She had grabbed Mike’s car keys again. Maybe she liked the car a little more than she wanted to admit.

She quickly texted Nia who was a saving grace and promised to go right over to watch Dean. Kara pressed on the gas pedal just as she was getting a call from Alex.

“Hey, I’m on my way,” she said as she answered. 

“You forgot didn’t you?” Alex stated more than asked.

“I was busy with work but I’m coming,” Kara answered.

“I don’t mean for this to sound as daunting as it will, but you are dead, your life will be over if the ice queen finds out, and she will,” Alex whispered the last parts.

“What? The Ice Queen? Who is that? And why are you whispering?” Kara asked as she almost crossed a red light but managed to pass while yellow.

“I can’t say it out loud,” Alex continued whispering.

“What? Or she’ll hear you, whoever she is?” Kara joked.

“Not her but all her minions might,” Alex whispered still. “Just get here okay, we’re about to start, I gotta go,” she said and hung up.

Kara was still far off and her luck got worse with every light turning red on the way. She rested her head against the steering wheel in frustration. She hoped none of the moms would hold it against her. She couldn’t be the only mom that had ever been late to a PTA meeting. 

---

Lena stood tall at the podium in front of hundreds of moms in the auditorium. Her hand was on the remote of the impressively well-polished PowerPoint presentation behind her that she –mostly Jess– had prepared.

“I called this emergency PTA meeting to discuss something that radically affects the safety of our children,” she spoke into her headset mic that connected to speakers all around the auditorium, her voice reverberating through them.

“The bake sale,” she clarified as she clicked the button on the remote and changed slides.

Kelly looked at Alex with a hint of confusion.

“Did she just say … the bake sale?” Alex asked in a low tone, in complete disbelief over the urgency of the meeting.

“Yes she did,” answered Kelly, in equal disbelief. 

“It can never be a chill thing with a Luthor, can it? Always life or death,” Alex muttered to Kelly. She hadn’t gotten used to the insanity of Lena just yet since her and Kelly’s daughter had only just made it to middle school where Lena’s politics were most influential. In fact, she and Kelly seemed to be the only ones at this meeting that didn’t seem to be taking notes like it was preparation for the LSATS.  

“Here is a list of toxic ingredients that are banned from the bake sale,” continued Lena.

Alex widened her eyes at Kelly as they awaited the list.

“No BPA, MSG, BHA, or BHT...” listed out Lena.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “I only know like 1 of those, I think,” she commented as if watching a foreign film.

In the front row, a mom tentatively raised her hand, confused. “Could you please tell us what those-“

Lena ignored the interruption and continued with her presentation, “Sesame, soy, eggs, gluten, dairy, and especially nuts are to be listed in clear labels. When you all walked in, you received a pamphlet in which you will find options you may bake from top to bottom based on the availability of ingredients that I have just listed. Some of you will have to bake with no gluten, others with no nuts, and the options continue as you go lower to end up with completely egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free and all round allergy friendly baked goods.”

Alex turned to Kelly again. “What’s next, no flour, butter, sugar or salt?” she joked to Kelly who smiled and stifled a laugh.

“You will also find a map of the table setting that will be carried out in the gym during the bake sale so that students may flow from one table to the other in true feng shui fashion,” continued Lena.

The room was filled with the sound of paper as the moms shifted through the pamphlet to locate the seating chart, many sounds of admiration were heard as they saw the walk-through design.

Lena gave everyone a moment to appreciate the seating chart, then proceeded, clicking for another slide and continuing with her presentation. 

“Is Kara coming?” Kelly asked Alex.

“I called and she’d forgotten. She said she was on her way but who knows.“

A mom beside them who was taking notes shushed Alex.

“I, of course, will be present, as well as a team of voluntary moms for the bake sale administration to monitor the food, eliminate any dangerous goods, and if necessary, punish wrongdoers,” Lena went on in the utmost seriousness. An image of a menacing police officer appeared on screen.

Most moms nodded in agreement. Kelly pursed her lips and frowned. Alex shook her head with her eyes wide. 

“I’m not taking notes, should I be taking notes?” Alex said humorously to the woman next to her who had shushed her and who was taking the meeting with gravity. The woman stared at Alex with thin eyes but the brunette remained indifferent.

“Once this meeting is over, you will all be able to go to the back table where the digital signup sheets are available in several tablets so that you may choose the goods that you will bake. There are limited spaces for each baked good of course. And as this meeting comes to an end, I expect you all to head to the back in an orderly manner,” Lena pointed to the back as she spoke, and all mothers turned to see the designated area, each beginning to gauge the distance between themselves and the signup table.

Tension fell on the room. The mothers began to grab their things, many realizing that they had to run to the sign up sheet before they were left with no options but the ones no one wanted. The moms in the front became especially fidgety, realizing they were the furthest away from the sign up sheets.

Kelly turned to Alex, “This won’t end well,” she stated. 

Alex, who was somewhere in the middle of the auditorium, was already in the same mode as the other moms, calculating her time and actions as her competitive mode kicked in.

“Alright, when I say go, you go, I run to the 2nd table on the left, you take the one on the right. Sign up for as many goods as possible and then we trade. If we get a really good item we could even trade a bit lower, at a price of course, there’s a lot of moms here with a lot of strings in a lot of places,” she instructed to Kelly.

“Is that ethical?” Kelly asked while looking around. “Oh God, it’s going to be a stampede.”

It was not long after that Lena finished her presentation and pointed to the back so that the moms may sign up.

“Game on bitches!” said Alex as she and hundreds of moms pranced to the back like wild animals.

---

About half an hour or so afterwards, Lena stood by the tables with Jess and Sam. 

Most moms had left, the rest were still there secretly trying to trade their gluten/soy/dairy/egg-free goods for another, some moms offering money, among other favors, for a trade up.

Lena grabbed one of the tablets. “Jess, how are we doing with the owner of that mustang?” 

Jess glanced at Sam, who gave a subtle head shake behind Lena’s back. 

“Um, still working on it, Miss Luthor,” said Jess.

Lena nodded as she ran through the signup sheet, checking every name, glad as she saw that every mom showed up, until she wasn’t. 

An empty space next to a name stared at her like a bright green neon sign in a dark alley. 

“K. Danvers,” she said out loud. It came out like an accidental thought said aloud. 

“That’s no one, a typo,” claimed Sam unconvincingly as she tried to take the tablet from Lena.

Lena gave her a death stare and kept the device out of her reach. She turned to Jess, who looked away in fear of meeting Lena’s unnerving look. 

“Jess, I run this PTA and I expect to know everyone. Why wasn’t I told there’s a new mother?” Lena demanded.  

“I’m sorry Miss Luthor, it was a late admission, I didn’t think it was anyone that mattered,” Jess said, barely able to look Lena in the eye. 

“So it’s not a new mom related to the already existing Danvers, Alex?” Lena asked both Jess and Sam.

The cat was out of the bag before Sam knew it; Lena had figured it out already. Sam opened her mouth to explain but Lena continued.

“So it’s not the other Danvers perhaps? Kara Danvers, the reporter who won a Pulitzer for an article so destructive that my family name has been tainted since, that I can’t go anywhere without being recognized as how people like to call me ‘a psychotic bitch who’s family ruined their life and deserves to die a million deaths and then burn in hell for all eternity’?”

“Wow, that’s rough. But it was an incredible article,” thoughtlessly spoke Jess who got an immediate scornful look from Lena in return. “Sorry,” whispered the assistant as she went quiet.

“Umm,” casually voiced Sam as she smiled around the room to avoid attracting suspicion, “No, that’s totally not her, this is um… Kaitlin with a K Danvers, a distant… nobody...” she fibbed.

Lena’s jaw tightened, Sam’s fib was useless. “Perfect. Exactly what I needed in this school. She’s come here to finish off the last Luthor that she couldn’t take down, no doubt,” she spewed out, echoing what her mother had told her.

Sam breathed out, “Okay, we don’t know that. For all we know, she moved here because this is the top school in the state, thanks almost entirely to your presence, and your investments in the arts and sciences, and your push for better teaching methods and...”

“If you’re trying to distract me with all the effort I’ve put into making this school impeccable for Logan, you’re failing,” Lena interrupted. “Jess, explain yourself.”

The assistant stuttered. 

“Let the poor girl breathe,” Sam let out, making Lena turn to her with a tilted head. 

“You knew about this?” 

“I looked into her,” Sam clarified, finally letting the lie go. 

“Is that so?” 

“Yes, I had Jess look into her when I found out she was getting in,” Sam explained.

“And when was that exactly?” Lena asked, already riled up.

Sam closed her eyes and sighed, “About two weeks ago,” she confessed.

“Two weeks? You found out the woman that took a sledgehammer to my family’s empire was coming to this school and refused to inform me?” she spoke fiercely.

“Okay, first of all, I’m your friend, I don’t need to inform you of anything, I need to support you and protect you,” Sam responded. 

Sam was a force to be reckoned with. She was one of the few people who ever dared go head to head with Lena and she had liked that; Sam commanded her own respect and thus had earned Lena’s respect and friendship. Lena was thankful for Sam and her ferocity, though maybe a little less thankful at this moment.

Lena opened her mouth but Sam raised a finger, even causing Jess’s eyes to grow in surprise. 

Sam continued, “Before you say anything, I want you to know that even so, I have your back. And before you ask how I found out it was through Kelly.”

Lena opened her mouth yet again, her exasperation visible but Sam cut her off before she started. “Yes, Alex Danvers’ wife, Kelly, who is a sweetheart, and a psychiatrist who specializes in trauma, which you could use, but that’s for another day.”

“She’s actually super nice,” added Jess, earning herself another stern look from Lena who now stood entirely displeased and with pursed lips.

“Anyway, I looked into it and Kaitlin Danvers is not moving here to destroy what’s left of your so-called ‘family’, she’s moving here so her kid can have a better shot, kind of like how you did when you first came here. And before you lose your shit because I said the F word, and because I said with utter sarcasm, you and I both know that those people were not your family and they never loved you. You always felt distant from them so don’t pretend you weren’t rooting for it when they were all arrested for crimes that even you didn’t know they’d committed. I’m not saying you should thank the blonde for the article or anything, but you and I both also know you were better off without them.” She breathed out a heavy sigh after finishing her rant. “Okay, now you go,” Sam gave Lena the floor.

Lena paused for a moment, yielding to Sam’s words to avoid making a scene in public. She’d unpack Sam being secretly friends with Kelly later, and she’d unpack Sam’s words about her family when it was the time (most likely never). Right now, she simply wanted not to feel so betrayed. 

“You should have told me regardless,” Lena said more calmly.

“I know, I’m sorry, I didn’t want to worry you. I didn’t want you to relive the whole… you know, thing,” Sam said in an affectionate concern.

“I would have found out eventually,” Lena stated. “I did,” she added a little more quietly. 

“I know you would have. I was going to tell you a couple days ago but I didn’t know how to break it to you,” Sam explained.

“Well, it’s been broken now hasn’t it?” Lena said back, still a little bitter.

“Lena, please, this wasn't a betrayal. You know that if I thought there was anything remotely strange about this woman coming here, I would have told you.”

“You thought you could just sneak her into the list and I wouldn’t notice?” 

“Yes, I thought I could sneak her into the list of hundreds of moms and you wouldn’t notice. Obviously what was I thinking,” said Sam sarcastically. “I forgot how meticulous you were for a second,” she added, preferring to call her that than ‘obsessive’. She knew Lena didn’t like her OCD brought up.

“She didn’t even bother coming,” said Lena, denouncing the blonde.

“Well she hasn’t been here long, maybe she forgot,” said Sam.

“She doesn’t care about the welfare of our children. This was an essential meeting about the bake sale, and she’s not here. Anyone that cares about their child is here,” stated Lena as she handed Jess the tablet back.

“Well, let’s not make assumptions,” said Jess as she took it.

“She’s surely made them about me just like everyone else. She’s probably thinking I’m just another Luthor, even if she pretends not to,” she said, entirely disregarding the conversation she’d had with the blonde.

“I don’t know what she thinks, Lena, and neither do you, you haven’t actually met her properly,” said Sam as she frowned right after as Lena’s quiet words and insinuations hit her, “Wait, what do you mean even though she pretends to? And did I imagine you said you did find out, like before I told you just now?”

“I have met her properly,” Lena confessed.

Jess and Sam looked at each other, then back at Lena, awaiting an explanation. 

“Some days ago. She ‘accidentally’ ran into the PTA room and then said some lies about us putting the past behind us and moving forward.”

Sam was in shock. “And what did you say?”

“Well, despite our misgivings, I agreed.”

Sam’s brows pinched. “You did?”

“Yes.”

Jess was too stunned to speak. 

“And you meant it?” Sam asked. “Even though you just said that you think she’s out to get you.”

“What would make you think I didn't mean it?” Lena replied casually. 

Sam sighed. “Lena, do you really think that’s a good idea?” 

“What do you mean?” Lena played dumb as she took the tablet back from Jess just to trace it around with her fingers. 

“This toxic forgiveness thing or whatever game you’re playing at. I’m worried either way,” Sam spoke. 

“I can forgive,” Lena stated.

“I’m sure you can, I just don’t believe you have,” Sam countered. 

“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“Yes, it is,” Sam pushed. 

“Listen, I understand it all, she was doing her job, it was nothing personal against me and now she’s here for her son,” Lena let out as convincingly as she could.

Sam was not even remotely convinced. “Okay, you are saying very conflicting things here Lena. I can't handle the cognitive dissonance. Just please don’t do something that-”

“That what, Sam?” Lena interrupted. 

“That’ll prove to your mother that you’re just like her.”

Lena’s jaw tightened. “I am not my mother,” she said with a tight jaw. “And I am not holding a grudge against Kara Danvers, alright? We both agreed to a truce.”

Sam paused then sighed. She couldn’t help Lena if the brunette didn’t want to be helped. “Maybe one day you’ll actually listen to me. But for now, fine, you’re totally fine if you say so.”

“And I am,” Lena insisted. 

---

Kara showed up at the school just in time… to see all the moms leaving.

She got out of her car and still made her way in though she wasn’t sure what she’d accomplish since the meeting was clearly over. 

She took a few steps inside and there were only a few moms left, talking in little scattered groups. 

And by some tables Kara caught the sight of none other than Lena, standing alone, looking at a tablet. She wasn’t sure what motivated her to walk towards her but before she could overthink it, she was right next to the brunette. 

“Hi,” she smiled wide. 

Lena looked up in surprise but quickly settled herself. “Miss Danvers,” she politely replied as she took in the blonde’s outfit: green pants and a shirt under a blue sweater. Her hair was in a half ponytail. 

Kara chuckled, “You can just call me Kara.”

Lena nodded. “So, what did you think of the meeting?” she asked, waiting for a lie. 

Kara opened her mouth then bit her lip before speaking, “I… missed it. Was it important?”

“All of them are,” Lena stated matter of factly. 

“Right. Maybe you can catch me up,” Kara suggested. 

The last thing Lena wanted was more time with the blonde. “I'm sure your sister can catch you up.”

“Oh, you know Alex?”

“I know all the mothers as I am PTA president. Anyhow, I should get-”

“The school is amazing,” Kara jumped in without a preamble to the subject. “The grounds are beautiful. My son is just in love with it already. You must be proud.”

Lena raised a brow. “You investigated me.” How else would Kara know that all the school’s accomplishments were practically Lena’s. 

“No, nothing like that,” the blonde said with a head shake. “Well, I did research the school, and it was hard to do that without your name coming up considering all you’ve done to push it forward.” 

That she had. “I care about children and education.” Unlike you , Lena wanted to add.  

“Yeah, it shows.” 

Lena’s brow went up again. Was Kara trying to disarm her with compliments, or ass kissing? It wouldn’t work. Lena knew better. 

Before Lena could excuse herself to leave again, someone had appeared behind the blonde. 

“Kara, hey,” Kelly spoke softly. “Sorry to interrupt, just wanted to say hi.”

The blonde turned to her sister-in-law. “Kelly, hi. Thought you and Alex left already.”

“We were a couple of blocks out when I remember I forgot my bag,” she said as she raised the bag she’d come for. 

Kara turned to Lena. “Kelly, this is Lena-”

“Lena Luthor, needs no introduction,” Kelly finished. 

Lena smiled amiably. Had Kelly meant she needed no introduction because she was a Luthor or because she practically ran the school? Lena couldn’t tell. 

“I'm Kelly Olsen-Danvers. It’s lovely to meet you officially. I’m a big fan of L Corp,” she spoke graciously. 

“Thank you. What exactly are you a fan of?” she probed. She didn’t need another person kissing her ass.

“Your R&D for starters. I read all your articles on upcoming technology, I'm subscribed to your newsletter. And I might be a little too invested in your recently created ‘Safety and User Care Department’. It’s incredible that you’re looking into the effects of your technology on people’s psyche and ensuring their safety first. I believe every tech company should do that.”

Lena was taken aback. She’d never gotten a sincere compliment from the mothers on her work. She didn’t even think they ever saw past her Luthor name. 

“Well, you’re welcome to take a tour of L Corp, specifically the R&D department if you wish. We have university and intern tours all the time. And the Safety & User Care Department doesn’t take tours since it’s fairly new, but I'm sure we can make an exception.”

Kelly beamed. “That would be amazing, thank you. But you’ll probably take that offer back as soon as you know where I work.”

Lena encouraged her to go on with a raised brow.

“Obsidian North,” Kelly clarified. “But I’m not trying to spy or anything, I genuinely admire L Corp’s work.” 

Obsidian North was Lena’s direct competition, owned by none other than her ex, Andrea, but few people knew that. They assumed the animosity was due to the competitive business aspect, as Lena preferred it. 

“It’s alright. If Obsidian wanted to spy they’d probably find a way. The offer stands.” 

“Thank you. I have to go but it really was lovely to meet you. And I will take you up on that.”

“Please do.” 

As Kelly had left after her goodbyes, Kara turned back to Lena. “That was really kind of you.”

“I would have done it for anyone. We do in fact have tours to show the public our work. And we love to have younger people come in, to show them what they could be doing one day.”  To inspire them.  

“To inspire them,” Kara said aloud what Lena had been thinking.

She blinked in wonder. “Yes.”

“When the competition admires you, you have to be doing something right,” Kara said with that smile she wouldn’t wipe off. 

Another compliment? Kara was a professional ass-kisser, Lena deduced.

“We try,” was all Lena added. “If you’ll ex-”

For the third time that evening, Lena was interrupted while trying to leave. “You have no idea how relieved I was the other day when you agreed to a truce,” Kara said. “I was really thinking you'd-”

“Breathe fire at you?” Lena took her chance to interrupt back. 

“ No,” Kara said with a serious head shake, “just be completely opposed to it, and I would’ve understood why.”

“I see no point in hating each other. You were doing your job, very well I might add, and I have had years to process, accept and forgive,” Lena said so smoothly. The lie came so easily and it almost struck her that it could have been true had she actually put the work in. Instead she’d spent those years doing what? Putting her feelings into boxes pretending she was okay and assuming she'd never run into the blonde? 

“I’m glad. I really hope that we can make this work,” Kara spoke softly. 

This? What even was this? Lena wondered. Whatever Kara thought it was, it certainly was not. 

“If I do come off like a fire-breathing dragon, It’s not you, it's just my usual demeanor with most people,” Lena said, hoping to keep Kara off her scent. “The other moms like to call me ‘the ice queen’ or ‘bitch’ is also a common description. So rest assured my behavior has nothing to do with you specifically.” A half-lie, it would have to do. 

In truth, Lena had not intended for those titles to keep house when she’d first heard them. When she’d entered the school years ago, after having taken the decision to transition Logan from home-schooling to public school, she’d all but prepared to be the nicest, sweetest person any mother in that school had ever met; kill them with kindness, even if it killed her. But her reputation (one she hadn’t actually had a single part in creating) had preceded her. The mothers all expected her to be a bitch, to be condescending, apathetic. So instead of winning anyone over (by being someone that no one in her life had ever modeled), Lena found herself leaning into the persona they created for her. And she became the bitch they expected her to be, she wore the crown for the title they'd graced her with, and pretended she had been that all along, pretended she hadn’t wanted to escape all the parts of her that made it so easy to be that ice cold bitch in the first place. She’d wanted it to be different, she’d wanted to start over in that school, but some things she couldn’t outrun. 

“Oh, well, that's harsh and plain rude,” Kara said in shock. “I don’t think you're cold or the other thing, just reserved. I suppose I would be too, if I were you,” she said understandingly. “Either way, I don’t scare easily.”

Lena nearly smiled at Kara not being able to say the word ‘bitch’. It was kind of endear- NO. Lena stopped that thought before it finished. 

“I'd still be careful if I were you. You spend too much time close to me and you'll earn a title just like the ones I have, by association. God knows what they're thinking about us right now, “Lena spoke slowly. The long trial where Kara hadn’t smiled once was clearly an exception to the blonde's otherwise sunshine disposition. It was impossible that anyone would ever think anything bad of this woman. No one would look at Kara ‘sunshine’ Danvers and think what they thought of Lena. But it was fun to scare the blonde off a little. 

Kara looked around and saw the few mothers that lingered. Their whispers of “her mother killed people…” and “her brother was a diagnosed psychopath…” were thrown their way. Kara had missed all the judgment directed at them, or rather, Lena. The blonde was usually aware of her surroundings, but something about Lena made it impossible to share attention with anyone else. 

Lena didn’t even look twice at the mothers. It was useless to confront them, they’d deny it all and to her face only be polite, even if completely disingenuously. Years later Lena could never entirely shake the rumors. They'd probably start up worse with Kara there she figured, since her presence would remind everyone of who her family was and what they’d done. 

“I’m not too worried, I don’t bruise easily,” Kara brushed off. “People can say what they like, and I'll correct them if they're wrong. I'm almost inclined to correct them now.”

“How do you mean?”

“They’re clearly wrong about you, and they’re too caught up in… I don't know, rumors or jealousy to notice it.”

“Or maybe they  saw the news a few years back, read an article,” Lena brazenly reminded the blonde.

Kara nodded. “Touché. But if they had read a certain article, they weren’t paying much attention to what it said.”

Lena frowned. She hadn’t read Kara’s article in years, but she was sure it was damaging to her. How could Kara claim otherwise?

The blonde went on speaking, “honestly, I can't think of a bad thing about you. I mean you’ve done so much for this school and you never have a hair out of place, you were just polite with Kelly. You even agreed to a truce with me of all people. If they can’t see who you really are, that's on them.”

How did Kara know who Lena really was anyway? She didn’t. It infuriated Lena that the blonde pretended she did. She was sick of the compliments. She’d never gotten that many from her mother in her entire life combined. 

“Something tells me you have a habit of seeing good things where there aren't any,” Lena stated.

“Not true,” Kara countered.

Lena raised a brown.

“Okay, maybe a little true,” the blonde acquiesced. “But I look at the facts, and the facts so far are leaning in your favor. You can't tell me that you don't see that. If I can see the good in you, why can't you? Or they as a matter of fact?”

Lena blinked. The good in her? She almost couldn’t breathe all of a sudden. She’d spent so many years in her youth trying so hard to be good, and hardly anyone ever saw it except for Sam. And now what? Kara… saw her? No, Kara could not see her, of all people, not her, she had no right. It was too late now anyway, Lena had too big of a reputation, and it wasn’t one of being a good person. 

“So, what brings you here, to this school?” Lena asked, begging for a subject that would let her breathe again. 

“The truth?”

Lena nodded. 

“My son was having a hard time in his last school and the one before that, and I’d had enough. He’s so good at some things, but not so much at others, like anyone. And most of his teachers just wouldn’t listen or work with him like he needed. He started ending up in detention for most of the week, and he's such a good kid, just not a good robot or whatever they wanted him to be. And then Kelly mentioned that this school had implemented a system where kids got yoga and mindfulness instead of after-school detention. It caught my attention. A few months later, after begging my boss to let me work from home and give me a reference instead, and an acceptance email later and here I am.” 

It sounded like a valid reason. It didn't change how Lena felt about Kara though. Hatred , for sure. Or something the equivalent. 

“Well, welcome to National City School. I hope it's a good fit for your son.”

“I'm really glad to be here. And I hope so too. I don’t want to get too excited but I kind of already am.”

“We have a group chat,” Lena shared. If she was going to pretend they had a truce, she had to act like it. “For all the moms. You should be in it. We share things there.” Like new moms, which they'd conveniently been quiet about. They loved to talk, behind peoples backs mostly. 

“Thank you, yeah. Are you an admin?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Okay, Let me give you my number so you can add me.”

Just great. Lena blinked. She reluctantly pulled out her phone and unlocked it.

Kara grabbed it and saved her number, gave herself a missed call. Then handed it back.

“That’s my number,” Kara said with a smile. “If you ever want to call it or text for any non mom group related thing, don’t be shy.”

An invitation to… what, be friends? Lena felt her heart racing. A strange feeling came over her - No , definitely hatred or nausea, no strange feelings whatsoever at having Kara’s number and the blonde telling her to call her. 

“I really should get going.”

“Right, I’ll see you around.”

---

 

“Kara has a death wish,” said Alex as she stuffed her mouth with popcorn and snuggled up to Kelly on the couch a couple nights later in Kara’s house. 

“I do not have a death wish!” answered Kara from her kitchen, waiting for more popcorn to pop in the microwave so she could get back to their game night. 

“What did she do?” asked Nia as she reached for some chips on the table. 

“Skipped the bake sale meeting, enrolled late to school to start with. What am I forgetting babe?” listed Alex before asking Kelly.

“Went in the mustang,” reminded Kelly as she shuffled the Uno cards. Other moms had spoken rumors about the mustang, not knowing who had been driving it. But Alex had figured it out immediately.   

“Oh, right! She was late and she went in the mustang. Subtle, by the way,” said Alex, turning to call out the last part towards Kara in the kitchen. 

“You took the stang?” nearly shouted Nia in excitement, “I want to drive it!” she exclaimed.

Kara made her way back to the living room with more popcorn and some beverages. “I borrowed it, and you can’t drive it,” she said. “Also, the brakes and accelerator on that thing are so weird, it feels a bit unsafe,” she muttered. She’d left tire marks at the school drop off the first day because she’d nearly missed the entrance and because of those weird breaks. 

“You just can't drive gear, Kara. And yeah, sure, borrowed, does Mike know?” asked Alex. 

“No,” she admitted quickly, “and since when do you care if I ask Mike?” asked Kara as she took her hand of cards from Kelly. 

“Oh, I don’t, after the shit husband he was to you, the more pain you cause him the better,” responded Alex, “just wanted to make sure you hadn’t asked for permission.”

“How was it?” asked Nia, her fingertips drumming at the table from the excitement.

“It was fine,” said Kara nonchalantly. 

“No, really,” pressed Nia as she took her cards. 

“Okay, I got a bit of a rush,” admitted Kara. 

“Knew it,” affirmed Nia as she took some popcorn and laid back on her chair. 

“Like I said, death wish,” repeated Alex. “The Ice Queen is going to have you killed just like her mother has done on many, many occasions,” said Alex in an offhand way as she also took some popcorn and shared it with Kelly.  

“Allegedly,” added Kelly as she ate the popcorn and finished placing the deal of cards on the table. “Rumors aside, L Corp is doing some amazing things.” 

Alex looked at her in disbelief, “Whose side are you on?” 

“I’m being honest. I’d love to work there,” said Kelly.

“I thought you were happy at Obsidian,” said Alex, putting her cards to her chest, and frowning, a little alarmed by this new information.  

“I am, mostly,” admitted Kelly, “and Andrea Rojas is great, I mean it’s not often one gets a direct line to the person in charge, but to tell you the truth I sometimes feel like I’m there as a safety net more than anything else.” 

“What do you mean?” asked Kara with a mouth full of popcorn as she perused her cards. 

“Well, I’m in charge of testing the impact of products on human wellbeing, and sometimes my objections are brushed aside and my requests for more research are denied. I’m asked to do the bare minimum so the product is safe so to speak,” said Kelly as she placed the first card to initiate the game.

“I’m sorry,” sympathized Kara as she followed with a card.

“That’s okay, it’s a great job. I just wish the focus was safety rather than profit,” said Kelly. 

“Yeah, money runs the world,” said Nia, disheartened by the sad truth. “Take two,” she told Alex after adding a +2 card.

“Seriously? We’ve just started,” complained Alex as she took two cards. She turned back to Kelly, “but anyway, you’d rather work at L Corp? Aren’t there a million other companies that are better than that?”

Kelly put a card on the deck, “L Corp has done some incredible things, and for the last few years, almost all focused on actual human wellbeing. So you at least have to give Lena credit for that.” 

“She’s a Luthor! How could you trust her?” exclaimed Alex.

“Lena  could be the worst of them,” said Nia. “Green,” she called out after placing a ‘choose color’ card.

“Intent on making me lose are you?” Alex playfully said to Nia, feeling bothered by the color change and taking a card from the deck.

Nia shrugged with a sly grin. 

“Why do you say that?” Kara asked Nia, frowning after hearing the recent accusation towards Lena. 

“She came out clean from accusations of embezzlement, bribery, murder, racketeering, I mean every charge on her family. What are the odds that her brother and mother were doing all those things and she had no clue? You worked the case, you tell me you weren’t the least bit suspicious? And then she rebrands and does some donations here and there and we’re supposed to believe she’s the one Luthor that isn’t pure evil? It’s a little fishy,” said Nia, in an attempt to impress Kara with her inquisitiveness. Nia was Kara’s protégé, so to speak. 

“I agree with Nia. Wholeheartedly, ” said Alex before taking a card and placing it on the deck. “If she were such a great person she wouldn’t be a complete bitch as PTA president,” she added. 

“A lot of her donations do go to LGBTQ+ foundations,” said Kelly, placing a ‘block’ card. “Sorry,” she apologized earnestly to Kara.

Kara did a half shrug to indicate she was unaffected by the blocking. Not that she wasn’t competitive usually, but she was more interested in the conversation tonight. 

“Okay, maybe I like her now,” said Nia after hearing Kelly, who chuckled at the quick change of mind.

“I am amazed by your journalistic integrity.” Alex said sarcastically.

Nia smacked her on the side playfully.

“Well, that’s nice of her, but she’s still the devil incarnate,” said Alex. “I mean it wasn't even me who came up with the Ice Queen title. And anyway,” she turned to Kara, “Nia’s right, wasn’t it you who spent like 3 years gathering enough evidence to take the Luthors down?” 

“Well, yes,” responded Kara, “But Lena was clean. I never found a shred of evidence that pointed at her. And don’t forget, she did testify against them.”

“It’s all questionable to me. She might just be the smartest Luthor if she managed to pretend to be innocent. For all we know she’s the mastermind behind everything and she only testified to save her own ass,” continued Alex. 

“It wasn’t like that in the trial,” Kara defended. 

“Take four,” said Nia as she placed a +4 card. 

“Are you freaking kidding me?” blurted out Alex as she grabbed four cards, her hand overflowing with them. “Color?” she asked Nia.

“Yellow,” she clarified.

Alex grunted, “you’re lucky I have yellow or I would have killed you,” she said as she added a yellow card to the deck.

“Actually,” spoke Kara, returning to the subject she wanted to discuss, “What I did find out about Lena is that she has several degrees: Biology, chemistry, engineering, which she got at a pretty young age. It’s almost unbelievable. She’s a literal genius. She even almost made it to the fencing olympics but decided to focus on her career instead. Later on, she took a break from her work and moved out of the city to the suburbs to focus on being a mother,” Kara said in an admiration that she hadn’t realized she had for the brunette. 

“Brains, brawn and beauty,” interjected Nia. 

“Pick a side, Nia,” Alex teased. “And you sound like a fangirl or something Kara, take it down a notch,” she said as she tilted her head towards Kara to point out some skepticism in her words. 

“I’m just saying it’s admirable. We all know how hard it is to work and be a mom and Lena Luthor owns several successful companies and still manages to be PTA president,” said Kara as she placed a ‘reverse card’. “From what I gathered,” Kara continued to share though no one had asked, “a lot of the initial research and ideas on most of Luthor Corp’s products were hers, even though Lex was the face for them since he owned the company. That was until Lillian and Lex’s trial. Then Lena stepped back up to manage Luthor Corp. It’s plausible she didn’t know about her family’s shenanigans.”

“Shenanigans? Really?” Alex teased, “You almost sound like you’re defending her, but I’ll let it slide only because I know you’re a dork for sciency stuff,” she said as she placed a card on the deck.

“Do you think she’d take an interview now about how she stepped into the spotlight and turned Luthor Corp’s ashes into L Corp? Cat mentioned it to me, about doing some kind of article on her.”

“Wow, double death wish. Seriously Kara, you have to be careful around the Luthor,” said Alex apprehensively. 

“She’s also hot, painfully hot,” disrupted Nia, changing the tone. “I heard she turned down the cover of 2013’s sexiest woman alive,” she added.

“I heard the same about the 40 under 40 from Fortune some years ago, before the article and the trial,” said Kelly, joining in on the gossip in a rare moment, and taking a card from the Uno deck. 

Kara smiled. She wouldn’t be surprised if they were true, knowing what she did about Lena’s intelligence and how beautiful she was, something she’d nearly forgotten until she’d seen her again after all those years.  When her eyes had landed on her in that PTA room some weeks ago, Kara’s body had done things it hadn’t done in a long time around anyone. A tingle low and deep within her that she wasn’t quite sure how to deal with. Lena Luthor was probably the worst person to get that feeling around, but Lena had also surprised Kara when she'd taken the blonde’s olive branch without hesitation. It made her wonder if maybe this feeling wasn't so terrible. Either way, Kara couldn’t help it. What she could help was who she told it to. 

“Yeah, and then her reputation went to shit after Kara’s article,” added Alex with a snort of disdain.

The comment took Kara by surprise and her smile faded. Lena’s reputation had been destroyed because of Kara even if indirectly. She glanced at the hall where her Pulitzer hung next to her article. For a moment, she felt remorse about her award-winning article. She’d never intended to hurt Lena with it. 

“She’s still hot though, I’ll give her that,” said Alex. 

Kelly gave her a soft elbow.

“Don’t worry babe, you’re the hottest person to me,” Alex stated as she gave Kelly a quick peck. 

“Uno!” shouted out Nia right after she put her second to last card on the deck.

“Shit!” exclaimed Alex. 

Kara had been too absent-minded to even notice where they were at in the game. She glanced at the hall one more time. 

---

 

Kara typed rapidly on the keyboard, she was on fire this week. She had been excited to get back to work now that she had settled in this part of the suburbs. And she was happy to feel like she still had drive in her. She knew her best articles were yet to come. Even having won a pulitzer. 

She’d heard about a lot of people slowing down after getting awards like that. She’d even heard people say some things to her about how it was unlikely she’d ever get another one with an impact as big as the first. After all, her article was the most talked about for nearly two years straight as the Luthor empire crumbled and every person involved tried to save themselves from drowning. 

She had created pandemonium; many people fled the country, there were even some cases of suicides after she uncovered the carefully weaved web of Luthor crime. She had been working on the case for almost 3 years herself, so it had been no walk in the park. Kara’s article had been the push of the first domino, and everything had come falling down, one piece after the next. 

The crimes went deep. It had started with embezzlement and racketeering, and led to bribery of politicians, judges, law enforcement, huge conglomerates, even other countries' heads of governments, not to mention some evidence even pointing to murders. There was not a single place where the Luthor empire had not penetrated, well, except for Lena, who had apparently left Luthor Corp to be a mother. 

Kara had shaken the world. And she had earned that Pulitzer. Getting it didn’t mean she slowed down. She was hungry for another.

The words flowed from her mind to the tip of her fingers, nothing could cut her flow, nothing could-

A text cut her flow. Alex. She looked back at her computer, carrying on with her typing.

It rang again. Kara looked back at the phone with a bit more focus to read the messages. 

Alex- Again?! Seriously? You forgot again?! [2:10 p.m.]

Again ? Kara wondered. Another PTA meeting? That was absurd, the other one had barely been a couple weeks ago.  

Kara regrettably lifted her fingers from the keyboard and grabbed her phone to text back. 

Kara: No i didn’t? But let's just make sure we’re on the same page, what are we talking about?  [2:11 p.m.]

Alex: Dear God. [2:11 p.m.]

Alex: The bake sale. [2:11 p.m.]

Alex: You’re supposed to bake something and bring it. Lena has strict rules and you’re lucky I actually got you a decent thing to bake. Please tell me you’ve got something in the oven.  [2:12 p.m.]

The bake sale. Yep, she had completely forgotten. And this email she had opened.

Kara: Just to be clear, you actually expected me to bake? You know I burn everything . [2:14 p.m.]

Alex: (palm on face emoji) Ure right. I dont know why I thought that. I shouldve had Kelly bake something for you, but its too late now. get something close to what ure supposed to bake and get ur A$$ over here. U are really giving a bad impression of me and I need to be on good terms with the moms.  [2:14 p.m.]

Kara saved her article, closed her laptop and got out of her seat.

Kara: You? On good terms? Since when?  [2:16 p.m.]

She’d never known Alex to need to be on good terms with anyone.

Alex: Since i found out theres a pep rally soon and I need to find a way to skip it by bribing some mom into taking my place as a cheer mom.  [2:16 p.m.]

Kara: Cheer mom? [2:17 p.m.]

Kara got out of her slippers into some Skechers and fixed her ponytail. 

Alex: The moms that go to those things and cheer on the kids. [2:17 p.m.]

Jeez, the school sounded like an organized crime syndicate more than a school. Maybe Lena did have some Luthor in her, but she shed the thought quickly. 

Kara: When does the bake sale start? [2:20 p.m.]

She grabbed her bag from the couch.

Alex: 15 min  [2:20 p.m.]

Kara: I’ll be there. See u soon.  [2:21 p.m.]

Alex: The ice queen is going to murder you for being late to her bake sale.  [2:21 p.m.]

Darn it. Something could cut her flow after all. And it wasn’t Alex, it was Lena Luthor.  

Kara grabbed a jacket and the mustang’s keys and headed out. Dean was still at school. She just needed to find a place with some baked goods. She googled bakeries nearby and rushed to them. 

She frantically searched for her baked goods in her chat with Alex. She knew Alex had sent her the item or the recipe not too long ago. She knew it had nuts of some sort but she couldn’t find them quick enough and she didn’t want to text and drive so she put her phone aside. 

She passed 2 bakeries before finally finding one with a baked good with nuts in it. 

She found the text from Alex at last and her item indeed had nuts, but she apparently had to create an account for the school website, sign in, find the section related to the bake sale, enter her keyword, and then see the details of said item. She had no time for that, so she grabbed a couple boxes of the healthiest baked goods from the store, and ran back out to her car to try and make it to the school. 

---

She pushed the auditorium doors heavily, catching the attention of many moms by the entrance when she finally arrived. She searched for Alex, who she spotted quickly. 

Alex pointed to an empty table a few meters away from her. Kara rushed to it and inelegantly dropped her goods on it.

Alex then pointed to a mom handing out tickets and Kara easily caught on to the way things worked. Everyone had tickets and used those to buy any baked goods. Eventually, the moms would gather their tickets and check their sales, she figured. Just a regular bake sale. Except, for the tables around her. Everyone had tags, clearly labeled food, carefully placed goods and decorated tables. Hers had nothing but her recently bought items. With a shrug she looked at Alex who was shaking her head at her.

“Dean,” Kara mouthed to Alex in the way of a question, wondering where her son was.

Alex pointed to her phone and texted her. 

Kara checked her phone. 

Alex: basketball court outside [3:45 p.m.]

Alex then lifted her own label to show kara. She mouthed, “label” to Kara as if to tell her that she needed to label her ingredients but Kara shrugged at her again. She didn’t have a paper or a marker.

Alex pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration and shook her head again. Kara gave it no mind. It was just a bake sale. No one had to buy from her if they didn’t want to. What was the big deal?

She sat there for a while with no customers, when a mom came her way. Kara smiled at her first potential customer. 

“Excuse me, um, you’re not allowed to sell store-bought goods in here. And you’re supposed to have everything labeled,” the mom said. “I’m bake sale administration,” she then explained as she pointed to her identification tag that had a police badge likeness to it and which had her name on it. It read ‘Magann’.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Kara responded. Not a customer then. “I just moved here and I’m a little confused on how things work and…” Kara was distracted by the mom’s bracelet. “Is that a ‘Hard-Working Mom’ bracelet?” she asked, recognizing the famous brand of technological items made for working moms. 

Magann was caught off guard but she smiled instantly as she reached for her bracelet, “Yeah, actually,” she said. 

“I love that brand. It’s so great,” Kara said contented.

The woman smiled even wider, “Me too, it’s way better than the fitness trackers because this one is actually made for moms and doesn't drive me crazy with health reminders.”

“Yeah, I know. It looks great on you. And you know, they are super ethically sourced so it’s great that you use them. I did an article on them a couple years ago when they were starting up and now they’re huge,” Kara said. 

“You should get one,” Magann suggested.

“Oh, I had one, but my sister literally stole it from me,” Kara said as she and Magann both laughed. “Alex, you probably know her.”

“Yeah, I do, but not closely.”

“Well, we should all go out for coffee sometime, which might become never because we’re busy but I’m serious,” Kara suggested. 

“Yeah, that would be amazing. And you know what? Don’t worry about the bake sale. You’re new so I’ll keep quiet this time but next time you gotta follow the rules, okay? If anything, you can text me, I’m in the group chat, and you can ask me anything really, don’t be shy,” she said kindly. 

Kara smiled widely, “thank you so much, that’s so sweet. I appreciate it.” 

The woman smiled and waved at her as she walked away. She quickly went to tell other bake sale administration moms to take it easy on Kara. 

Alex texted. How much did they fine you? [4:05 p.m.]

Kara: She didn't. [4:06 p.m.]

Alex: How did u get away with no fine?  [4:06 p.m.]

Kara: They actually fine people here?  [4:06 p.m.]

Alex: Yup. So how did you do it? [4:07 p.m.]

Kara: My charm of course.  [4:07 p.m.]

Alex sent back an eye roll emoji. 

William approached Kara’s table with his daughter by the hand. “Oh, Mama’s Little Bakery, I love that place. I didn’t know you could bring store-bought goods,” he said. 

Kara laughed, happy to see a familiar face. “I don’t know what you mean,” she joked as she ripped off the sticker from the box. “These are 100% homemade.”

William laughed. “How much?” he asked. 

“Half a ticket,” she blurted out.

William smiled. “How about 2 tickets, based on market value?” he said charmingly.

“Hey now, big spender, careful not to spend all your tickets on me,” she said, earning a smile from him. 

She took 4 tickets and handed him 2 pieces, his hand lingering on hers for a fraction of a second too long (just like their first meeting) before he took one and ate it right away after giving his daughter the other piece. 

“Mmm,” he hummed, “that is so good, what is that?” 

“Caramel flavoring number 6,” she joked to which they both laughed. She smiled at him and there was a short moment of eye contact. He had lovely eyes, no doubt, but then something drew Kara’s eyes to the gymnasium door, a pull of some sort, something that made breaking eye contact with William so easy. 

Just then, Lena Luthor stepped through the door. She was wearing a dark blue suit, from top to bottom, blue pants, blue blazer, blue jacket, similar to the burgundy one she had on that day Kara ran into her. 

Now that Kara had laid eyes on her, she didn’t want to take them off. Something about Lena’s presence was like a hex. And from the looks of the whole gym, it wasn't just her who was under it. Just about every mom had turned to see her come in. 

William was still standing there and had said a word but Kara hadn’t heard it, even her ears had been tuned in to the particular click of Lena’s heels which she swore she could hear all the way from where she was. She barely noticed as William walked away after saying goodbye. She turned her head back to him to give him a half assed goodbye before turning to look for Lena, but the brunette had already disappeared in the crowd that was now buzzing again. 

At least Kara finally had another genuine customer at her table. 

“Hey, you’re Dean’s mom right?” the boy asked politely. 

“Yeah,” she smiled. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Logan, we’re in the same class and we’re both trying out for the basketball team.”

“Oh, Logan! Dean talks about you all the time. I was wondering if you were real,” she joked to which he laughed shyly. 

“I was telling Dean we’d love to have you over on a Friday or for a sleepover, so you boys can hang out. What do you think?” she proposed. 

“My mom doesn't really let me do a lot of those but I’ll ask,” he said. 

“If I get around to meeting your mom I’ll talk her into it,” she said. “I’ll just charm her with my delicious and personally…” she looked at her self-betraying store bought goods, “picked out store treats,” she said as she pointed to them, “if you’d like to try.”

Logan chuckled, “well, they do look pretty good. How much?” he asked. 

“2 tickets is the market price, but for you, 1,” she said with a wink.

“I’m not sure you’re allowed to do that,” he commented with a smile and handed her two tickets anyway. 

She took the tickets and handed him a piece. 

“What’s in these?” he asked. 

“Sugar, lots of it, butter, peanut butter-” she listed with her fingers. 

“Oh,” he said in unease.

“Yeah?”

“Sorry for interrupting,” he said.

“Go ahead buddy, what’s wrong?”

“I’m allergic to peanuts,” he clarified.

“Oh, well, don’t eat those then,” she said as she took back the treat politely and she handed him his tickets back. “Probably why things should be labeled.” 

He chuckled and nodded. 

“So, who’s your mom?”

---

“One, two, three, one, two, three,” Lena counted her steps in a barely audible whisper as she walked to the doors that led to the bake sale. 

“Yes Miss Luthor?” asked Jess.

“If anyone puts anything out of place on their table, swat it off,” Lena told Jess firmly. 

“Literally?” asked Jess, a little doubtful. 

“Literally,” confirmed Lena while keeping her eyes ahead. “How’s it looking?” she asked. 

“I checked 10 minutes ago. All… good,” answered Jess, hesitant. 

“Good? Just good?” replied Lena, glancing at her. 

“Well, we have an empty table, but everyone else is in, their tables look amazing, everything is labeled, it’s perfect,” explained Jess. 

Lena pursed her lips, “If there’s an empty table then it’s not perfect. Whose is it?” she asked. 

“Well, Alex Danvers wrote her name on it, but she’s working at another station so I’m guessing it’s the… um… Kara Danvers table,” said Jess the last bit in a mumble, too afraid to say it any louder. 

Lena sighed in exasperation. What was it with Kara Danvers and breaking her rules? This was pure provocation, she was sure of it. 

Lena walked towards the auditorium with clear intention. As soon as she stepped in, the push of the doors alerted everyone to her entry. The room fell silent. Her heels made a distinguishable sound against the wooden floor and most moms turned her way, they then anxiously continued their selling as Lena walked past them. 

Lena immediately noticed Kara’s table on the other side; undecorated, unlabelled, plain with a couple boxes placed on top. Where in the hell were the moms who had been designated as bake sale administration?  

She made her way slowly through, looking around at other mom’s tables just to be sure no one got off too easily from her scrutiny. 

“What item is it?” Lena asked Jess. 

“Peanut butter, banana and chocolate bars,” she answered after searching her tablet for the list of assigned goods.  

Lena continued walking with resolve, keeping her eye on Kara as best she could through the crowd. And as she walked towards her, she saw Logan approach her table.

Kara smiled at him and a conversation began between them. 

Lena’s heart spiked. Logan was allergic to peanuts, and knowing Kara had nothing labeled made her pick up her pace. 

Kara’s table was near the end of the space, and Lena had just realized that her perfectly planned table setting, which made everyone have to pass by every table from the way in to the way out, was particularly inopportune right now. 

Lena watched as Logan laughed and Kara pointed at her goods, as if to offer a piece. She watched her son hand Kara a ticket, which only made her frantic. 

Did he have his epipen? He always carried it in his jacket pocket, a secure pocket she had personalized in all his clothing. But he was carrying his jacket on his arm. What if it had fallen? 

She speed-walked, “Out of my way,” she commanded the people blocking her path. And just as she turned to check on Logan, she collided into a mom carrying a fragile tray of goods, which went flying about. 

The clash forced her to stop, but only slightly. 

“Sorry Miss Luthor,” the mom quickly apologized and without looking Lena in the eye began to pick up her goods. 

Lena ignored it and tried to squeeze through the students to reach Logan. Jess was left behind in the crowd. 

She watched as Logan grabbed a piece of the goods and her eyes went wide, her heart falling into her stomach. 

She pushed past the people in her way and just as she was a few steps from the table, Logan returned the item and Kara returned the ticket.

“Logan,” Lena called his attention as she made it there. “Those have peanuts,” she stated immediately. 

“I know mom, she just told me. I’m gonna go buy something else before everything good runs out,” he said as he gave her a quick hug, waved goodbye to the blonde, who warmly waved back, and went searching for another baked good. 

“Logan is yours? I had no idea,” Kara said with a friendly smile. “He’s great. My son talks about him all the time. Maybe we could have him over on a Friday or have a sleepover, so they get to know each other better,” she jumped right into conversation, as if they were better acquainted. 

Lena tried to brush her anxiety away since Logan was safe, but her body was still agitated by the near incident. She was watching Logan leave, counting his steps before he disappeared into the mob. She had barely paid attention to what Kara had said. 

And then she looked at the baked goods placed on Kara’s table and immediately realized they weren’t the assigned ones, and store-bought from the look of the boxes with a brand sticker freshly ripped. 

“Are these store-bought?” Lena asked. She looked up to see the blonde. She felt a flutter in her stomach that made her nauseous.

“Um, yeah,” confirmed Kara, “they got peanuts which I think were my main ingredient and-” she explained, unconcerned and ignorant by the affront Lena felt. 

“You have no labels,” Lena cut her mid sentence. 

“I know, but I read all the ingredients so I know what’s in them”. 

This wouldn't do. She couldn’t have Kara think she could just do what she wanted. She could have triggered Logan’s allergies, or another kids’. She was violating the sanctity of the bake sale and putting children in danger, Lena rationalized. 

The brunette looked right at Kara with fierce intensity. Lena couldn’t let herself get triggered so easily. It was evident the blonde was going to push her buttons. She had to manage this carefully so as not to show her indignation. 

She took a moment to think about what she’d say. 

“It matters what food people bring because this school has extremely high standards, and that’s why we have the best test scores in the state, the best college acceptance rate in the state, and yes, the best artisanal bake sales in the state, six years running. And I believe - no, I know , that excellent schools build excellent children, and that’s what we all want, isn’t it?”

Yes, that was perfect.

She slowly leaned over the table to make sure she could look right at Kara and make sure this was coming out as threatening as she wanted it to be even though she planned to say it all with a carefully crafted Luthor smile. 

She was about to speak until Kara gently placed her right hand on top of her left. Lena blinked rapidly in surprise, and though her usual reaction to being touched was to recoil, she remained in place. 

Her thumb quivered and she almost caressed Kara’s hand with it for some inexplicable reason, but didn’t, thankfully. 

Still, she was frozen in place, stunned. She suddenly felt uncomfortable leaning over a low table looking directly at Kara’s eyes. 

“I know I broke the rules and I’m sorry,” the blonde said softly and earnestly. “I can tell you’re upset. And I get it because you clearly put a lot of effort into organizing this, and so did all the other moms.”

Lena began to feel the perspiration in her body, especially in her hand. The loudness of the sale had been swallowed up into complete silence, and she could hear absolutely nothing but her own breathing, bordering on irregular. 

The baked goods and all surroundings dissipated from her line of sight and all she could see were Kara’s blue eyes. 

And on top of that, a sincere apology. Her body didn’t know how to react. She didn’t know how to calm down after building up for an intense battle, for a punishment that she was now rethinking. 

“It won’t happen again,” Kara said, her eyes still fixed on Lena. “But for now, if you’re not allergic, here, try one of these, my treat. I hear they’re amazing,” she said as she grabbed one treat and raised it near Lena’s mouth. Her other hand was still gently placed on Lena’s and the brunette could have sworn Kara gripped it infinitesimally tighter. 

Lena looked at the treat in Kara’s fingers, only inches away from her lips. 

She moved in to taste it. She opened her mouth and slowly bit down on the treat as Kara held it in place. She closed her mouth as she took the treat into it while her lips brushed against Kara’s fingers. Kara smiled and then took the rest of the treat into her mouth, licking the fingers that had been touching it, the same fingers that Lena’s lips had been on seconds before. 

Except Lena had only imagined that. In reality, she was still rooted in place. 

Abruptly, a hand flew in between Lena and Kara, snapping her out of her imagination. The box of treats was swatted off Kara’s table with no warning, and the goods went flying everywhere.

Kara retracted the treat and the hand that had been on Lena’s. 

Lena stood up straight. She quickly looked back at the spot on the table where both hands touched, unsure why. 

Then, she turned to the side and found Jess, standing proudly after having caused the disarray. 

Lena stared at her, awaiting an explanation. 

“What?” Jess whispered, “you told me to swat anything out of place,” she explained in a whisper.

Lena closed her eyes and pursed her lips in a moment of irritation. Perhaps she had gone a little far with her sarcasm. It was not as evident to Jess as it had been to her apparently. 

Kara sat there in confusion and shock, unsure how to take the coarse gesture. The last treat standing, the one she had offered Lena, was still in her hand.  

When Jess caught on to Lena’s expression, she recognized her mistake and stumbled on her words to explain, “I um, sorry, I thought... I saw a spider and I’m… an arachnophobe,” she babbled.

“Oh, that’s okay. They were store-bought, and I guess they weren’t allowed anyway,” Kara accepted the explanation. 

The absurdity of the situation was not lost on Lena. And she found that she was slightly upset at Jess’s untimely interruption because it had cut short her moment of inflicting terror on the blonde. It had nothing to do with whatever was occurring between her and Kara.

Jess smiled at Kara’s kindness and then looked at Lena, then back at Kara. Jess stood in thought, as if beginning to process what she had just interrupted moments before.

As Lena noticed that, she regained her momentum. Kara needed to know that she couldn't break the rules on a whim, no matter how soft her hands or how gentle her eyes. And everyone else needed a reminder of what Lena was capable of, she couldn’t have them thinking they could do as they wished. If she allowed Kara to go unpunished, they’d all think that their rule-breaking would go unchecked. She couldn’t have other moms talking about how she’d gone soft, or worse, have Jess asking questions about what she’d seen, or worst of all, telling Sam what Jess thought she’d seen between her and Kara, which was nothing.  

“We label because some children have allergies, like Logan,” Lena said firmly. “So you can’t serve these,” she stated though it was illogical now that all of them had been sprayed across the floor, but she went on, “everything about this bake sale was carefully thought out which you would have known had you come to the PTA meeting on time last week”. The words were straight to the point like she wanted them to be, Jess couldn’t possibly interpret what she had just seen as anything inappropriate or bizarre, Lena figured.  

“Right, Lena, I’m so sorry,” began Kara, shaking her head in guilt. 

“You have to keep up with the standards of this school. I ensure all moms do.” Lena said, making sure that Kara felt this wasn’t personal, but in so many ways, it sure as hell was. 

“I can tell that you put a lot of effort into this bake sale and I didn’t know it meant so much to you,” Kara said. “You deserve better, so I’ll make an effort next time. Next event, it’ll be ‘go big or go home’”. 

Alex appeared next to them just then, doubtlessly to save Kara from her well-earned reprimand. 

“Hey Kara, I need your help with some ticket thing at my station,” said the sister. “Hey Lena - Miss Luthor, sorry, gotta steal her for a bit,” she said as she grabbed Kara and pulled her from the table in a rush.  

“But the treats-” tried to say Kara as she pointed to the floor where all the goods were laying. 

“Great bake sale!” Alex spoke over Kara as she dragged the blonde away, leaving Lena standing there and Jess staring back and forth, trying to comprehend what she had missed in the moments she hadn’t been there.

“Wow, she’s gorgeous,” said Jess about Kara.

Once again, Lena glanced at the same spot on the table as before, then at the hand Kara had touched. She traced where Kara’s finger had been before bouncing back to the present.

“Get someone to pick up those treats from the floor,” she told Jess. 

“Yes Miss Luthor.”

Lena watched Kara be pulled away and she wanted to calm down, but her heart was still beating erratically. The fear of Logan’s near experience coupled with anger at Kara’s recklessness and her phony apology made Lena see red.

Kara could not have the last word. Lena followed the blonde and her sister out the auditorium. 

“May I have a word with Kara?” Lena spoke loudly, interrupting whatever Alex was telling her sister in the hall.

Alex seemed surprised to see Lena, “I really need to talk to my sister.” 

“It won’t be long,” Lena stated rigidly. 

Alex was reluctant to agree but when Kara said nothing, she moved back. “Sure, I'll give you a couple minutes.” She went back inside the bake sale and Lena stepped towards Kara once they were alone.

“Is everything alright?” the blonde asked. 

“Why are you here, Kara?” Lena asked sharply.

“What do you mean?” Kara shrugged and frowned in confusion. 

Lena stepped closer, she put her hand above the wall behind Kara, pushing her against it without touching her. “I mean why are you really here in this school?”

“I already told you…for my son.” Kara’s face began turning red. 

“Is that so?”

“Yes,” Kara insisted softly.

“Really?”

Kara was quiet, but her breathing was heavier. A clear sign of lying, Lena knew, and she wasn’t going to let it go unmentioned. “Then why are you blushing? And why is your breathing so hard right now? Why is it that you’re constantly seeking me, insisting on… being friends?” 

Kara let out a breath. “Lena, this is not what it looks like, and I know you don't trust me yet-”

“Why should I trust you?”

Kara paused for a moment. “Did you read my article?”

“How is that relevant right now?”

“Please answer me,” Kara spoke softly. “Did you read it?”

“Yes.”

“What did it say about you?”

Lena frowned, “horrible things that I haven't been able to shake even years later.”

“Did it really?”

“Yes.” 

Kara sighed. “I didn’t say horrible things about you. I don’t think horrible things about you.”

“Oh, please,” Lena scorned.

“Look, I can tell that you’re not entirely comfortable around me, I mean, I could tell before this right now.”

Lena swallowed. Why hadn’t her facade worked on the blonde? She’d smiled and been polite but strict, no different than with all the other people at the school.

Kara went on, “I thought maybe it was… something else, but I misread the situation.”

Lena was just beginning to calm down, realizing that she needed to pull it together. She’d let Kara completely unsettle her like she’d not let anyone do in years. 

She pulled back from the blonde, letting the hand that had been on the wall fall to her side. “I apologize. I… the near episode with Logan scared me and I overreacted.”

“It’s okay, it would’ve scared me too.” 

Lena nodded and took a deep breath, realizing what she’d done. She’d wrecked her plan now, showing Kara how little she really trusted her. It would be impossible for the blonde not to think that Lena hadn’t meant a word about the truce. She wasn’t sure what to do now other than leave and reassess, come up with a new strategy with dealing with the blonde. 

“What did you think it was?” Lena asked, thinking back to Kara’s words moments ago. “What did you think I felt?”

Kara bit her lip nervously. “You can’t tell?” 

Lena’s brows were pinched. For once, she was clueless. “No, enlighten me.” 

Kara’s lips parted and her eyes dipped to Lena’s.

A soft breath escaped Kara’s mouth. “Probably not a good idea.”

Lena watched Kara’s eyes as they lowered and looked back up, she watched her chest grow and fall quickly. She was even more confused now. 

“Why would that be?” Lena asked, her tone had gone soft and she’d nearly whispered it. 

Kara almost imperceptibly leaned in. 

Then, the door opened loudly as Alex stepped into the hall. “You guys done? I need my sister.”

Kara stood up straight right away and cleared her throat. “Um…”

“Yes, we’re done.” Lena spoke so quickly and barely finished her words before she was walking away, leaving them both behind. 

Chapter 3: Sine Qua Non

“This is exactly what you need,” Nia said one night as she, Alex and Kara took a seat at a local bar and ordered some drinks. “You need to get out and have fun, okay.”

“Yeah, it’s been crazy for you, with moving and work. You haven’t really been out with anyone since the divorce, and it’s been a while” Alex said. 

“I’m okay, I don’t need to date,” Kara stated as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat in the dimly lit bar that she’d been forced to go out to. 

“Is that what we’re here for?” Nia turned to Alex, confused, “thought we were trying to get her laid.” 

“Nia!” Kara exclaimed, then turned to Alex, “Alex!” as if to say that’s why you brought me here?

“Thank you for putting it so bluntly after I asked you not to blurt it out, and also, you now put that picture in my head, so ew!” Alex scolded Nia before turning to Kara. “The idea is for you to relax, and the good news is, you have a decent pool to choose from, so pick your guy or girl and just have fun, have a conversation with someone, let some strangers buy you drinks etcetera etcetera.”

“And if things go right, maybe you’ll get laid,” said Nia, covering her mouth with her drink in a faux attempt to seem subtle. 

“That’s not happening, I have to get home on time, it’s a school night, and I’m not bringing a stranger to my house,” said Kara. 

“Well don’t take them there, you go to a hotel, just tell us who it is, get me a full name and address and I’ll tell you if they have any priors,” Alex said nonchalantly. “And keep us posted throughout the night. And then share your ride on the way home.” 

“Exactly,” said Nia as she handed them both a drink. 

“And also,” added Alex, “this is practically still suburbia okay, I wouldn’t worry too much about running into some gangster.”

“I would worry about running into a mom from school,” joined Nia.

“Now that’s terrifying,” nodded Alex.

“How about we keep it as a girls night out?” asked Kara, taking the glass from Nia. 

“Nope,” Nia dismissed. 

“We can have those anytime, I think you should at least try and get back into mingling, alright? Even if tonight is a complete disaster, at least you’ll get back in the game,” Alex asserted. 

“I feel bad about leaving Kelly to take care of the kids, maybe we should go home,” said Kara.

“Nevermind Kelly, she’s happy doing that, plus she’s got some work. And she wanted you to have fun! So come on!” Alex insisted.

“Alright, if and only if I see someone worth it, then I'll try and make conversation,” Kara gave in. 

“Um, no, you’re gonna converse with every person we point out,” Nia said. “Ooh, that girl looks hot”.

“Go, go, go!” Alex pushed Kara into the crowd. 

 

“Well this is going great,” Kara said, flopping in defeat back at the bar after some time.

“Meh, better than I thought,” Alex said with a shrug. 

Nia handed Kara another drink.

“What? Every single guy I’ve talked to has been scared off cuz I keep mentioning kids or treating them like kids. And the women are nice but then a couple asked for a threesome but I thought they’d said’ three sons’ and I asked about what school they went to, and then they ran off. I’m just not feeling it guys,” said Kara as she waved her hand to reject Nia’s beverage offer. 

“I knew you were rusty, it was a good round one,” Alex said. 

“More like round 15, I’m completely done. Please let me go home,” Kara said, depleted.

“Let’s reassess, but hold on, I gotta pee, brb,” said Nia. 

“Me too, get us some more drinks. This isn’t over,” said Alex as she and Nia made their way to the bathroom. 

Kara sighed and turned to the bartender to order them some more alcohol. 

---

Lena sat in the corner of a local bar on a Thursday night. 

She was in the VIP lounge, it was dark and difficult to be seen, just how she liked it. She didn't visit bars often. But she had made an exception tonight. Something pushed her to go out, and she’d wound up here, at this tiny bar that she’d never known existed just a few miles away from her place.

Before she’d gone out she had texted Sam, but her friend hadn’t texted back until later (she couldn’t make it), and Lena had already rushed to the bar before an answer so here she was. Either way, she was fine drinking alone. She ordered a drink and sipped on it as she inspected the place and its people. 

Maybe it was time to try dating again, to search for something that would last a little longer than a couple of secret rendezvous. Anyone remotely decent-looking would do for a first re-entry into the dating scene but no one currently caught her eye. Perhaps the next person to walk through the doors would be refreshing, someone Lena could actually date, perhaps they would be–

Kara Danvers. In she’d come with her sister, and Nia, a mom from preschool who Lena had seen on school grounds on occasion. And they had come in with clear intention it seemed. It was not 10 minutes later that Kara was pushed into the crowd and onto a complete stranger and began fabricating a conversation out of thin air. 

Was Kara looking for a one night stand? Lena ordered a refill on her drink for completely unrelated reasons. Somehow, Lena became entirely focused on Kara throughout the night, watching her try to pick up person after person, both men and women. And each time, Lena ordered a stronger drink. 

She kept waiting for Kara to leave with one of the strangers, but she never did. Each conversation ended abruptly. Something about that made Lena glad, but she was less so after Kara would once again be pushed to the next person. 

After about an hour and half of clearly failed pickups and at Lena’s 7th drink, she hoped perhaps Kara would give up for the night. Flirting didn’t seem to be her strong suit, at least not in this setting. Lena found herself thinking back to their conversations at the bake sale. Kara was all smiles and kind words. Not to mention that the blonde reached out and touched Lena, something that usually made her jump out of her skin due to her OCD, but hadn’t had that effect on her then. Kara’s behavior could have been misconstrued as flirtation. But Lena didn’t have much experience there, so she couldn’t be sure. The idea was absolutely ludicrous anyhow; Kara’s romantic company was everything but appealing. Not that it mattered if Kara was or was not flirting with Lena of course. At this point, it was probably just the alcohol that had her ruminating.  

Except that in the school hall… Kara had leaned in, right?  

Kara’s sister and friend left for the bathroom at that moment. Lena put down her drink. Maybe she would go talk to the blonde. She wasn't sure what she’d say, but she did have to put on a display of friendliness to make up for her mishap at the bake sale, regain the upper hand.

She called the waiter. “The blonde and her companions, get them a bottle of Sine Qua Non,” she said. 

This wouldn’t be a terrible idea. What would happen if she got Kara drunk, she wondered. Maybe the blonde would confess to why she was really here and how she was secretly plotting Lena’s demise. Lena would have to record the whole thing of course, Sam would never believe her otherwise. She pulled out her phone and tried to look for the recording app. If Sam were there she’d probably talk her out of this nonsense. But Sam wasn’t there.  

She opened the app and began recording before deciding to go to Kara’s table, but just as she looked up, a man sat by Kara’s side. 

William. Everyone from their school went to this bar but her, evidently. Interesting that no one had ever invited her to it. Lena hadn’t even noticed when he’d stepped into the bar, but she was seeing him more often than she liked. She preferred it when he wasn’t a nuisance. 

Her jaw tightened as she watched him reach his hand and place it on Kara’s arm to call her attention. 

Kara turned to him, a wide smile appeared and they hugged. He was always rather friendly. Not that a single mom minded, at least the ones attracted to men didn’t. Neither did the gay dads. Not even the married ones. He was charming after all. With that face, and good manners, and that British accent. That dick.

Alex and Nia returned from the bathroom soon enough, and Lena relaxed if only a little. Surely, they would interrupt whatever was occurring between William and the blonde. But in less than a minute, Nia and Alex disappeared into another area of the bar, purposefully leaving Kara alone with him. Lena had forgotten they’d been the ones pushing Kara into the crowd in the first place. Clearly they were all for this one night stand or possibly more. 

Lena tightened up again. Kara and William already seemed deep in conversation, laughing with each other at least twice a minute. She counted. She needed to cancel her order, which now seemed ridiculous. She had to avoid making an absolute fool of herself. She turned back to search for the waiter, but he was no longer near her. 

It was clear where it was going when William’s hand landed on Kara’s knee and she didn’t pull back. Lena had no interest in watching this, in watching Kara at all, she told herself. Kara and William could have the wine if they wanted and make whatever of the gesture. She wouldn’t be there to watch. 

---

“Here you go, 2 glasses of Sine Qua Non for the ladies over there and 2 for you,” said the young waitress as she placed two glasses of wine in front of Kara and William. 

“We didn’t order these,” Kara pointed out.

“Right, they’re from the lady over-” the waitress pointed to an empty VIP area, “oh, she was right there. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch her name,” she clarified. 

“Oh, that’s okay. Are you sure it’s for us though?” Kara double checked before glancing at the empty area on the corner where the kind stranger had apparently been. 

“100%,” assured the waitress. 

“Okay, thank you,” Kara smiled, “I wasn’t going to drink any more...” she said as she raised the glass and took a sip, “but this is really good,” she added after tasting it. 

“Where were we?” said William. 

“Um, it’s actually getting late. I should get going. I’m not sure I should even have this glass, I mean I don’t even know who to thank for it,” Kara said. 

“Just thank the universe, good things come to good people,” he said.  

“How do you know I’m good people?” asked Kara in curiosity. 

“I might have looked you up, and ended up reading all your articles. You are quite the journalist,” he complimented. “Hope that’s not creepy.” 

“Thank you,” she blushed, “And only a little,” she joked. She glanced at Nia and Alex who were making obscene physical gestures at her to encourage going home with William.

“Especially that Luthor article. Well earned Pulitzer. You tore the Luthors apart, and they deserved it,” he said in a scorn. “Speaking of, you should probably be careful because one of the Luthors practically runs the school,” he said as he drank from the stranger’s wine with delight. “Man, this is good wine. The person who gave it to you must really like you.” He turned to the bartender, “How much is this bottle?”  

“Nearly $500,” said the bartender.

William’s eyes widened, “Wow, I couldn't afford a $500 bottle. That’s one generous stranger.”

Kara was surprised by the price too. Who had the generous stranger been? And why had they left? But more importantly, William’s words once again made Kara think of Lena as the collateral damage of her article. Lena had been shoved with Lex and Lilian even though she was innocent. William was proving to her that most people thought that all Luthors were the same. Why could no one see what she saw in Lena? It seemed so evident to her that Lena was really good at only pretending to be what everyone expected. 

“I’ve met Lena,” Kara spoke, “she doesn’t seem so bad, she’s actually-” 

“I’ve been at the school for a short while, and it’s pretty clear to me that Lena runs it with an iron fist and a gun to people’s heads,” William interrupted. “Several parents from the PTA make sure to remind me whenever they get the chance,” he explained while he enjoyed the wine. 

“What do you mean?” A gun to people’s heads? That seemed a bit much, Kara thought. 

“I mean that there’s a lot of pressure to do or not do certain things, and whenever I ask why, the answer is usually ‘or else’, as in if I do not comply, Lena Luthor will… Gosh, I don’t know what she’d do but I have a pretty good idea of what her family has done. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree right?” 

“Wait, Lena has threatened you?” Kara asked in surprise. 

“No, no, not her, I’ve barely ever spoken to her. But the other parents that are part of the PTA wave her power around, like when they ask for donations for example. Lena has to know, right? But you know what,” he gulped the rest of his drink, “I don’t want to talk about that tonight. Why don’t you tell me about your work?” 

Kara wasn’t in the least bit inclined to talk about her work right now. In fact, all she wanted to keep talking about was Lena, just not like this. She decided she didn’t appreciate William’s judgment at this moment, and she’d had enough wine for the night. “I actually should get going, it’s a school night.”

“Are you sure? How about we stay a little while longer, then I can drive you home,” William proposed.

“I’m good, really. It was nice seeing you,” she said politely. 

William nodded, evidently disappointed, “alright, it was nice seeing you too.”

Alex and Nia seemed disappointed when Kara got up and left William behind, but she didn’t care. She glanced back at the empty VIP lounge, wondering once more who that generous stranger could have possibly been. 

---

 

Lena sat eating an avocado toast that Friday morning with Logan. She didn’t usually have her phone with her at the table, but she glanced at a notification in the school app from the day before. “What’s this?” she asked Logan as she read an email about a permission request to change mode of transportation that day. 

“A permission to go on the bus,” he said as he served them orange juice. 

“To go on the bus?” she asked bewildered. 

“Mhm, I got invited to a friend’s house,” he said as he took a small sip, his eyes avoiding hers. 

“A friend’s house by bus?” she asked. Lena was more accustomed to the kind of people who had chauffeurs, so the bus drew her attention. 

“Yes, I was kind of excited to go in the mustang but that was only before he signed up for the bus,” he explained. “But it’ll be fine mom, the buses have cameras and you can follow them on GPS,” he said as he ate his breakfast.

Her face fell. The mustang. From the first impression of that mustang driver, the simplest way to go would be to shut down this request immediately. But she didn’t. 

“I’m well aware of that, I pushed for the cameras in buses and I proposed the schoolbus app. But you do realize that this conflicts with your schedule, you’d miss your fencing.”

He put his cutlery down, “I know, but I could take my board games so I would be exercising my brain,” he tried to convince in a humorous way. “Besides, i've been thinking about not fencing so much,” he stated as he picked up his cutlery again and continued eating. 

“I thought you loved fencing,” Lena replied, a little dazed.

“I like it, but I like horseback riding more,” he explained. “If I want to be really good at something, I have to give it more time, right? If I split all my time between all those things I’ll never be that good.”

Lena hummed. “You’re absolutely right. What about basketball? Are you still going to the tryouts?” 

“Yeah, for now, I’m going to try and then I’ll see.”

“Alright, I’m surprised to hear about the fencing, but you are good at horseback riding. I’m glad you want to focus your energy.” She felt slightly disappointed at his quitting fencing so abruptly, but she understood. “Now, about this new friend of yours that’s inviting you over today…” she spoke as she drank some coffee.

“Dean Danvers, he’s new at school,” he stated, “we’re in the same class and we're both going to try out for basketball.”

She nearly dropped her mug. Was this God’s cruel joke on her? The mustang didn’t belong to a divorced dad nor one in a midlife crisis after all. Just the same Danvers who was intent on disrupting every aspect of her life it seemed.

Logan simply sat there, clueless as to the punch that name had delivered as he ate his breakfast. He was clueless by design. Lena hadn’t wanted to tell him much about the trial. He was much younger when it had happened, too young to understand, so she had kept it simple: Lilian and Lex had done bad things and they were going to jail. There was no mention of Kara Danvers anywhere. She didn’t want to create a space for revenge in him like Lilian had done with her. 

“So, may I please go?” he pleaded. 

Did it have to be the Danvers kid? Out of all the kids in the school? she wanted to ask. Her immediate reaction was still to say no. Absolutely and definitely no, not up for negotiation.Though perhaps it made most sense. Parents were always cautious around Lena, and by extension, so were their kids. This meant Logan had difficulty making friends. And Kara’s son was new to school, the same age as Logan. It was likely he didn’t know much about the trial, why would he? So Kara’s son and hers had bonded, so what? She needn’t make a big deal out of it, and certainly not in front of Logan. 

She still had to think about this carefully. So far, she had already talked to Kara, the world hadn’t ended, sure, but there were no guarantees as to what the blonde’s intentions were. She’d also have to figure a way to limit her contact with Kara if this thing between their kids became a stronger friendship. She didn’t want to see the woman left and right, though she already felt as if she was. She decided, just this once, she’d let Logan go and see what happened, treat it as an experiment.

“You go with the chauffeur, I’ll have him follow the bus to the house, and you let me know when you get there,” she began but Logan jumped in.

“But I want to take the bus,” he said, “it looks like fun.”

Lena pursed her lips, “Alright. But he’ll still follow the bus. And if you want to leave at any time you let me know. I’ll call to check up on you and you let me know how you’re doing,” she said at last. 

Logan’s face lit up at the permission. “Thank you so much mom, I love you,” he sprung to his feet and made it to her to hug her hard. 

“And you know the rules, no talking about grandma or your uncle or my work,” she said.

“Yeah, I know. Don’t worry mom,” he said as he sat back down on his chair and began taking bigger bites of his breakfast in enthusiasm. 

She felt joy at seeing him this excited. She hoped this Dean kid was worth it. She approved the permission via the app. 

---

Logan texted his mom as soon as he stepped down from the bus to Dean’s house that Friday afternoon. He waved at his driver who had been right behind. The driver got out of the car and handed him all the board games he had prepared. He smiled, waited for Logan to enter the house and then sat on guard by the door until the boy was ready to leave. 

Logan spent his time having fun. It was rare to skip something on his busy schedule and he savored every minute. 

For lunch, Kara had joined the kids, and she was as warm as Dean remembered from the bake sale. 

“I’m so glad you came over,” she said as she served him some spaghetti. “Thank your mom for me,” she said. “Now eat up but don’t get too full cuz I got donuts,” she stated with a face of pure delight for the sweets. The kids mimicked her face in mutual excitement. 

After they were finished, she told them to come over to the living room where she had the box of donuts. Dean appeared quickly but Logan had stayed back. 

As Dean opened the box to the sweets, Kara went to check on Logan, and found him by the hall, staring at her corridor wall; the same wall her pulitzer and the article hung, side by side. It was a hard miss, it had the word Luthor in large fonts in the title, photos of Lillian and Lex too.

She was instantly alarmed and she sprinted to him. “Oh, that, that’s just... it’s nothing,” she rambled nervously as she tried to cover it by attempting to stand in front of it.

“That’s…” he paused as he gaped at the paper behind the glass, he reached his hand to stop her from blocking him, “my family,” he finished.

Kara swallowed. “Yes, I wrote an article about some people in your family many years ago,” she said, with some concern. 

“That’s my grandma and my uncle,” he pointed out their photos in the article in a kind of childish shock.

“Yeah,” she admitted with guilt, unsure of what else to say.

He stepped closer, and began reading it. 

“Maybe that’s not such a good idea,” she said as she stepped closer to the frame. 

“I want to know what it says. You won the greatest award for journalists for it,” he said, pointing to the Pulitzer next to it. She was surprised he knew what the prize was.

“Your mom, she… didn’t tell you?” Kara asked.

“She told me some things. She was pretty vague about a lot of it, but I heard things at school from other kids sometimes, but I never told her,” he said as he looked at the article. 

“I actually thought about putting it down,” Kara said as she reached for the frame of the article to remove it from the wall. 

“No, hold on, let me read it,” Logan responded.  

She had no idea what to do. She felt that Lena might be upset about her letting her son read the article and seeing what she’d wrote about his grandmother and uncle; on the other hand, Kara felt she’d betray Logan if she didn’t let him read it because it would make him feel like he wasn’t old enough to comprehend, and she hated treating kids like that. 

She decided to move aside and let him read. 

Dean walked up after a while of waiting for them, but he too stood in silence after he saw what was happening. It had been so long for him since that had been published that he hadn’t paid it any mind. He only thought of how proud he was of his mom and knew that she was a pretty big deal for journalists, but he hadn’t even looked twice at the article since it had been hung. 

After a couple minutes of reading, Logan looked at Kara, “It’s really good,” he said. 

“What?” she asked in disbelief. 

“I think you wrote it very well, although I don’t understand some words,” he said. 

Kara was left open-mouthed, she was stunned at his words, there was no sarcasm in them, but she could tell he was slightly hurt by what he’d read. 

“Um, Logan, I...” she stuttered. She’d never felt so guilty, and to feel like this in front of a child, to realize she was to blame for him losing his family made her ache. “I’m so sorry about what happened,” she simply said. She wasn’t sure if it would come out sincere. After all, what happened was that she had written an article that had set in motion a series of investigations that culminated with members of his family behind bars.  

“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault,” he said, strangely comforting her. Her guilt must have been more obvious than she thought. “You just wrote the truth”. 

She could still sense the sadness in his voice but he was handling the information impressively.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I’m taking it down anyway,” she repeated as she reached for the frame again. 

“You don’t have to do that, I mean if my mom sent me here then she must be okay with everything. And I’m fine. Besides, it’s a big deal, you can’t just hide that somewhere with this other huge frame,” he said. 

“I just don’t want to show off something that, while it did do good, it also did some bad, and hurt some people. I don’t want a reminder of that,” she said. 

“Well, you can take the article down, but leave the Pulitzer at least,” he said, “you can use that to remind yourself that you’re a great reporter. It doesn’t just have to remind you of what you said,” he argued. 

If she was impressed before, she was much more so now. Logan was very understanding and well spoken for his age. 

She smiled, “okay, I’ll leave the Pulitzer,” she said, keeping in mind the comment he’d made about Lena being okay with everything. 

He smiled back, content with her decision. “I’ll go have some donuts, you can have them with us because it looked like you really wanted them too. And you can do this later,” he said, sounding like an adult, which Kara found endearing.

“I’ll be right there,” she said as Logan walked to her son. 

She’d put it away later, like Logan had said. Right now, she couldn’t miss out on donuts.

---

Logan stepped through the door of his house later that night. “Hey mom,” he greeted as he took his shoes off and put his backpack on the floor exhaustedly.  

“Hello darling, how did it go?” she asked. Every minute he spent at Kara’s house had been absolutely nerve wracking and she’d spent the entire afternoon thinking about it. When she’d checked in on him during the day, Logan had said he was fine, but shared nothing that she really wanted to know. She had asked if Dean’s mom was there to which she’d gotten a positive answer, but she hadn’t grilled any further to avoid suspicion. At this point, curiosity was picking at her like she had picked her nails all throughout school. 

“It was good. We played board games, and some badminton in the yard, and hung out,” he said as he reached for a hug.

“Sounds like fun. Anything interesting happen?” she asked nonchalantly, hugging him back.

“We ate donuts! Mrs. Danvers really likes them,” he said as they made their way upstairs to their living room. 

“Mrs.?” she found herself asking unwittingly, her whole body tensing up. 

“I meant Miss, I guess. Anyway, she really likes them. She ate like 5,” he said with a smile, his wonderment at her appetite was evident. 

“Right, well, I’m glad you had a good time,” she said, relaxing her posture. 

“I know why you didn’t want me to go,” he said suddenly. 

The words hit Lena’s ears like a glass of cold water to her face. 

She raised a brow. “I never said that you shouldn’t go”.

“I know, but I could tell you didn’t want me to,” he answered. 

“Did Dean say something?” she asked, her motherly instinct kicking in. If Dean had so much as joked some Luthor-related thing she would find a way to make it right. 

“No, no, he didn’t say anything, everything was great,” Logan said calmly.

She calmed down and remained quiet. She didn’t want this to go where it was headed, but it seemed inevitable now. 

“What happened to grandma and uncle Lex had to do with Dean’s mom, right?” he asked up front. “I’m old enough to handle it. I want to know what happened. And I want to know if you knew about it,” he said firmly. 

“I didn’t know about it,” she answered right away. That was the most important part and she needed it cleared up before she continued. She pulled him over to a seat, and she began as honestly as she could, “Yes, Dean’s mom wrote an article about your grandma and uncle some years ago. She’s a reporter and she investigated them, and uncovered a lot of crimes that I promise you I didn’t know about. I left the company to have you and raise you way before that. I found out about it all at the same time most people did, when the news broke. It all went downhill from there.”

“What happened?” he asked. 

“I barely had time to process before the police and FBI stormed all Luthor properties in search of your grandma, and Lex, and for some reason, me. They seized almost every Luthor asset they could get their hands on, including our house for about 6 months. They froze my bank accounts for that time too, and they ‘repossessed’ many of my projects and assets that were completely separated from Lilian and Lex, but they didn’t care. If it had the Luthor name on it, they took it. They put pressure on me through the media, who were not much kinder and in fact played a large role in the uproar against the company. They harassed us at our home for months on end, but thankfully, Sam took care of you, well us, for a while, if you remember when you went to live with her and Ruby and I stayed there for a while too before I moved out so you’d all be safer.”

“Yeah, I kinda remember when we stayed there,” he commented. 

She nodded and continued, “So the FBI and the police looked into everything, they probed every aspect of our lives. And slowly but surely, they found the evidence they needed against Lilian and Lex, and there was not much to do after that. Your grandmother and Lex were adamant on not admitting any guilt and they pushed back with lawyers and any other way they could, but they couldn’t dodge everything they were accused of. I was eventually acquitted.”

“Oh, wow. I didn’t remember the FBI stuff,” he said. 

“You were really young, and like I said, I tried to protect you from it.”

“Sounds almost like a movie.”

“Yes, and I was unknowingly cast as the villain for a bit,” she said. She took a small breath in for what she was going to say next. “I do think you should know that I ended up testifying against your grandmother and uncle in their trial. ”

“Really?” 

“Yes, not on their crimes, but their character, because they weren’t the kindest people to me growing up. I only kept in contact because I came to a compromise with Lillian about you.” She took a deep breath this time and went on. “I don’t regret testifying, because as much as it pained me to do it, they were guilty. I don’t think it was my testimony that put them away anyhow, there was plenty of evidence. But your grandmother and Lex never really forgave me for that. I had a hard time during and after the trial. I’m not sure how I made it, but I worked hard and rebuilt a lot of what had been torn down. And eventually got Luthor Corp back, or what was left of it, and I decided to change it to L Corp and do something good with it.” She sighed as she let it out. “That’s just part of my story. If you want to get into what they did, we’re going to need more time and possibly a dictionary.”

“I have time,” he said. “And why a dictionary?” he asked. 

She smiled, “no you don’t, you have to go to bed,” she said as she stood up. “And do you know what racketeering means?”

He shook his head. That had been one of the words in the article that he hadn’t understood. “Please, just this once let me stay up late,” he said. 

She was breaking the schedule yet again, but she sat back down, “okay, I’ll tell you the truth about what they did as far as I know, and what was proved in court. And you can make your own decisions about how you feel about them, okay?”

He nodded in agreement, and patiently waited for what was to come. 

---

Lena laid in bed that night. It was all out and she could breathe easy. Logan had handled it like a champ. She could rest easy in that regard. She asked herself how she had managed to raise such a wonderful child. Her mother certainly hadn’t taught her that. Maybe Sam had been the good role model. 

But she couldn’t quite let herself rest entirely. Explaining everything to Logan was like reliving her trauma. And her body was tense from the memory of what she’d gone through and the strain the trial had put on her. Her OCD kicked in a little stronger than normal. She sat counting the corners of her bedroom and made endless triangular figures in the spaces of the ceiling as she thought of the trial, of her mother and Lex’s looks of betrayal. As if it hadn’t been them who’d betrayed her by taking the company she rightfully owned from her hands and using it for such despicable things. But their looks had been haunting nonetheless. The look of every person at that trial when she’d testified: the look of the lawyers as they grilled her, the look of the judge, the jury. All eyes on her. Especially Kara’s.  

But right now, she couldn’t remember Kara’s look at the trial, rather, she could only think of her in the bake sale. Her soft smile, Kara’s right hand on hers, the baked item in her other hand so near to her own mouth. She kept remembering the scene she had imagined of taking Kara’s treat into her mouth and touching the blonde’s fingertips with her lips. 

Then she thought over and over about Kara in the hall. Kara looking at her lips, blushing and breathing hard. The blonde had leaned in, she’d leaned in to… kiss her , right? It was absolutely mad, yet the thought was there. Before she knew it Lena had spent a solid 40 minutes just remembering every moment with Kara during the bake sale and her body was now tense for entirely different reasons.  

Then she remembered that Logan had been over there all day and she hadn’t called Kara to thank her nor texted. And just like magic, her phone lit up. 

Kara: Thank you for letting Logan come over. He’s wonderful and the boys had a great time. [9:10 p.m.]

She had expected to thank Kara for letting Logan go over, not the other way around. 

Lena: Thank you for having him over. Dean is welcome here anytime. [9:11 p.m.]

That’s what mothers said to each other wasn’t it? She had little experience with playdates and casual texts with other parents. But what she’d written didn’t necessarily mean Dean would actually come over. It was merely a thing to say.

Her phone rang again. 

Kara: That’s great! We’d love to! The boys were already making plans for next week.  [9:12 p.m.]

Her eyes went open. We? Next week? She placed her fingers on her forehead and sighed. Logan had gotten carried away for sure this time, and so had she. She supposed this is what happened when she didn’t let her son spend much time with other kids his age outside of his usual activities. 

Lena: I’ll have to check his schedule, but I’m sure we can work something out.  [9:13 p.m.]

Kara:  Alright! I’ll be patiently waiting.  [9:13 p.m.]

Kara: For now goodnight Lena.  [9:14 p.m.]

Lena: Goodnight. [9:14 p.m.] 

It was about 1 more hour before Lena was finally able to get Kara out of her mind and sleep. She’d spent the entire hour reliving that moment in the bake sale and in the hall, but it kept getting mixed with her imagination and some other fantasies that she wouldn’t remember the next day.

---

 

“Hey! How was school?” Kara asked her son while setting up the table for lunch with Alex, Kelly and Esme another day. 

“I didn’t make the basketball team,” he answered disappointedly as he dropped his backpack and took off his shoes by the door after walking in.

“What?” Kara asked, as she placed a lasagna on the table a little too hard. “But you’re really good, how is that possible?”

“I don’t know. Coach said I’m only good as a bench player. Logan made the actual team, but I didn’t,” he said cheerlessly, looking down. 

“Oh, and is he good?” Kara asked, trying to meet his eyes.  

“Yeah, he’s really good and so was I. He was surprised when I didn’t make it either but the coach didn’t explain anything,” he said as he dumped himself on a kitchen chair in disappointment. 

Kara frowned. “I’ll talk to the coach,” she said to let him know she would take action to fix the situation. 

“God no mom, that’s embarrassing. It’s fine, whatever. I’ll look for something else to do. I don’t want to spend all season on the bench,” he answered as he took a bite of his lasagna looking defeated. 

Alex rubbed Dean’s back in support, and Kelly gave a sympathetic look. 

---

Later that night, when the kids got to bed Alex brought up the subject again. 

“You know why my nephew didn’t get into the basketball team right?” said Alex as she adjusted on the couch with her wine glass.

Kara turned to her, “He did get in, just on the bench or however they call it. And what do you mean? Why?”

“Because Lena Luthor doesn’t want him to. She doesn’t want him in the team because she wants to get back at you,” said Alex with complete conviction. 

“Alex, that’s silly,” started Kara.

“Is it? So it’s a coincidence that my nephew, who we all know is amazing at basketball, just happened to not get into the team?” questioned Alex. 

“I don’t know. I think I'll go talk to the coach,” answered Kara. 

“It might not be her,” said Kelly. 

“What makes you think that?” asks Alex. 

“I heard that a lot of school parents who are part of the PTA tend to pull some strings to get their kids into extracurricular activities to make sure they look good for college applications. That might have gotten Dean left out,” she explained. 

“What?” replied Alex in shock, “how do you know that?” 

“I hear things, people talk, and I’m a good listener,” Kelly responded. 

Abruptly, Alex jumped off her seat and nearly dropped her wine glass. “I just got a brilliant idea!” she exclaimed as she put her glass on the table. 

“What?” asked Kara.

“You should run for PTA president!” said Alex with her eyes widened and her hands open, expecting a round of cheer and praise. 

“What? No, that’s... what?” responded Kara in disorientation. 

“Yes! The election is coming up. You could run for PTA president and then you can get rid of this corrupt little system and make sure my brilliant nephew gets into the actual basketball team, and the biggest prize of all, you’d dethrone the Ice Queen!” she exclaimed by the end, proud of herself. 

“Alex, I’m barely settling in here. And I don’t want to make enemies,” Kara responded.

“Kara, I’m serious. The fact that you’re new is an advantage because the moms haven’t had the chance to find every flaw in you like they have with others, not that you have any, but they’ll literally make some up,” spoke Alex. 

“Why don’t you run?” asked Kara.

“Because they already know me, and half already hate me, besides, they won’t want a narc as PTA president,” she said.

“A narc?” questioned Kara.

“A detective,” explained Alex, “no one’s gonna vote for me, but you, the natural enemy of their tyrant, you’re the perfect candidate.”

“I don’t know. And you make Lena Luthor sound like a disney villain,” said Kara. Natural enemy? Tyrant? That sounded harsh. 

“That’s cuz she is,” claimed Alex. “Come on Kara, do it for Dean. No other mom is ever going to run against Lena because they’re terrified of her. You’re the only one who has the guts,” she pleaded.

“Well,” Kelly joined the conversation, “firstly, I’d like to point out that I’m not scared of Lena. And I think all her strictness stems from an attempt to control the world around her as a result of feeling helpless and powerless as a child,” she said. 

“You’re not helping by being all… you know, empathetic,” said Alex. 

“Kelly could run,” jumped in Kara. 

“Kelly’s too busy to run,” contested Alex. 

“Hey! I’m busy too,” fought back Kara. 

“Yeah, but Kelly is, like, busier,” tried Alex, faint-heartedly. “And I don’t want Lena coming after her cuz she’s my person,” she said, turning to Kelly with an affectionate hand hold and loving eyes. 

“And you’re okay with Lena coming after me?” questioned Kara, slightly offended. 

“You’d be fine. You can handle yourself,” said Alex. “Besides, Lena’ll be intimidated by you. I mean she knows you’re capable of utterly destroying her. You did it once already,” Alex said with great pride. 

“That was by accident!” Kara quickly corrected. 

“No it wasn’t, you wrote an article on her family,” Alex disagreed. 

“The article was about her mother and brother, not her,” clarified Kara.

“Maybe, but did you think people would care about that? She’s still a Luthor, and after the article, the name was tainted,” said Alex.

Kara frowned. She’d been getting alot of reminders lately about the damage her article had done. She hadn’t even felt this bad when it had come out, now all of a sudden, it weighed heavily on her. She glanced at the hall where she knew the article was by the ground. She really had to put that away, it didn’t have the same connotation it used to.

“You just have to convince some small groups to vote for you,” Alex explained. 

“Small groups?” Kara asked. 

“Yeah, well, Lena’s got the different mom groups. She’s got the CrossFit moms, the blogging moms, the drunk moms, the moms that used to be dads, the juicing moms…” she began listing.

Kelly joined in, “the black moms, the lesbian moms, the divorced moms. She even has the divorced, black, lesbian moms, and that’s a really hard group to get,” Kelly stated. 

“Alex, I can’t convince all those people,” Kara said, “maybe I should just talk to the basketball coach.”

“And what? Bribe him like the other parents have? I know you’re above that. And even if you manage to fix things this time, what about the next thing Dean gets left out of? And the next? All because the PTA parents run this school, and Lena Luthor runs those parents!” stated Alex, inflamed by Lena’s presumed actions.

Kara sighed. She wondered if Alex was right about Dean being left out. Being at a new school was hard enough already with trying to make your way with other kids. Other parents pulling strings to leave him out would only make it harder.  

“Even if not for my nephew, you should do it for all the other kids that are probably going through the same thing because of PTA parents. I mean, the PTA was supposed to be a way for parents to be more involved in their kid’s school. And instead, it’s really just a front for them getting their way and stepping over everyone. And the way Lena Luthor runs it, it’s exhausting for every mom at the school, Kara. It’s too strict, too controlling, too much. We need a break . We need a PTA president that is more concerned about our kid’s well being than their college applications and being the top bake sale school or whatever in the state. It’s unfair for the kids and moms,” she finished in a compelling speech. 

Kara considered it. She turned to Kelly for input. 

“It is too much pressure on the parents. I’ll agree with that,” said Kelly. “But if Kara doesn’t want to run, we shouldn’t make her,” she added. “Kara?” she asked the blonde.

“Look,” said Alex, “You don’t have to do much. Kelly and I will work on the posters, and we’ll handle the announcements and even help with the candidate party and speech.”

“There’s a speech and a party?” asked Kara, feeling like the endeavor was more complicated than it looked.

“We’ll help! Don’t panic. It’s a small party so people know you’re running and a tiny speech at the end of the run,” explained Alex. She and Kelly looked at Kara waiting for an answer. 

Alex was convincing, even if a little pushy and over the top at times. Kara still thought she could fix the problem with Dean by talking to the coach, but Alex was right, what about all the other kids? Now it felt like a question of justice. Alex was convinced she’d win. Kara wasn’t sure of it, but for the kids, she’d try. 

Kara sighed. “Okay, I’ll run”.

“Yes!” Alex squealed in joy as she stood from her seat. “This is going to be amazing. The Ice Queen has no idea what’s coming.”

“I’m going to talk to Lena about it first,” said Kara, emphasizing the name to remind Alex to avoid the insulting title. 

“What? Have you lost your mind? We’ll lose the element of surprise!” exclaimed Alex. 

“I don’t want it to be a surprise, it’ll feel like an attack. And if I’m running, I have to do it my way, okay?” Kara said. 

Alex sat down, a little disappointed.

“Promise me you’ll let me tell her before you announce it,” Kara said. 

Alex rolled her eyes, “Fine! I’ll wait. Even though, let the record reflect, I think it’s a mistake to warn her. It’ll only give her time to prepare.”

Kara smiled at the concession, and ignored Alex. 

She felt more comfortable telling Lena about it. It could be a friendly competition. She was sure Lena would be okay with it so long as she told her before any announcement came out. 

---

“How did school go today?” Lena asked Logan that same evening as she sat for dinner with him.

“It was great. I...” he stood from his seat in pride and with his arms wide open, “made the basketball team,” said Logan with a grin on his face.

“That’s fantastic, you should be so proud!” she said as she stood from her seat and hugged him.

“Thanks mom,” he said as he pulled back from the hug and got back to his dinner. “Dean got the bench though, which is weird cuz he’s actually really good, maybe better than me,” said Logan, feeling sympathetic for his friend.

“That’s odd,” said Lena, acknowledging the conversation. 

“Yeah, he was really sad about it. It was really unfair. He might quit altogether if he’s going to spend all season on the bench.” 

“Did he talk to the coach about it?” asked Lena. 

“He tried. Coach didn’t give an answer, he just shut him down completely. And the coach let Tommy and Jacob and Mason in. And they’re not great. At all. Dean was a thousand times better at try-outs,” said Logan. 

Lena’s attention was grabbed. “That is very odd indeed.”

“You know what else is weird? Those kids are always so lucky, they get chosen for all the good things,” said Logan. 

“What do you mean?” asked Lena. 

“Their parents got the easiest baking goods for the baking sale, they got to choose their team during spirit week last year. And also last year, their families won almost everything at the raffle,” listed Logan, a little frustrated. 

“No one chooses their team during spirit week, they’re picked at random from all grades,” said Lena. “And the raffles are random.”

“Yeah, that’s what they said but they coincidentally got all the students that won the challenges 2 years ago in their team, and so that’s why they won every challenge last year,” he said. “And how did the same people win all the raffle prizes?”

Lena frowned. He was right, it seemed too much of a coincidence. Either they all had some lucky streak of magic, or something else was going on. And it didn’t take her long to realize what those kids had in common; their parents were part of the PTA, Lena’s PTA. What’s more was that those kid’s moms had been in charge of the mentioned events. Could it be that they were abusing their power? Using the PTA as a way to cheat and give their children all kinds of unfair advantages? The more she thought about it the angrier she got. If what she thought was true, they had managed to do it all under her nose, using the PTA as a front. 

“You’re really perceptive, you know that?” she said, proud of her son. 

He smiled, “I guess.”

“I need you to tell me when you notice these things, alright. Anything that seems out of place or that needs fixing. That’s why I’m the PTA president. It’s to make the school a better place for the kids. All of them, not just some. And thank you for telling me. I’ll look into it.”

“Okay,” he said with a nod. 

“Now eat up, it’s almost bedtime,” she said. 

“Oh, before I forget, I told Dean he could come over on Friday, is that okay?” he asked.

Lena was caught off guard. She watched Logan carefully, he seemed so excited about having someone visit. Lena was always strict about what people came over and Logan’s lack of friendships meant hardly anyone ever entered their house. She didn’t mind a friend coming over so much as she minded that Kara might show up too. But she hadn’t shown up at Kara’s on Friday so the blonde would probably know better than to show up at her house. They weren’t that ‘friendly’ despite her attempt to pretend. 

“Of course darling,” she agreed to the date. 

He smiled wide, “thanks mom, I’ll let Dean know he can come in the car with me.”

---

 

“Oh my God! That’s so cool!” Lena heard Dean scream for what seemed to be the dozenth time that Friday after school at Lena’s house. He was talking about the yard this time around. Logan had shown Dean his fencing gear and offered to teach him how to fence in their ridiculously large back yard which had a pool, a gazebo and large amounts of space for any sports. The young blonde was clearly excited about coming over, and though Logan was not one to boast, he was happy to experience his home in a new way with a friend. They both ran with the fencing gear to a spot in the yard, and Logan began teaching Dean how to fence.

Lena had watched it all from the balcony of the second floor while she enjoyed a short break and had some tea. She’d spent lunch with Logan and Dean and had discerned he was a good kid. Polite in the very least. She had confirmed it from the conversation she’d had with him during lunch where he’d been charming. 

She could relax and let them enjoy themselves all afternoon even if it meant that Logan missed a few of his activities. Either way, he and Dean were remaining active and that’s what she cared most about. 

“Miss Luthor,” a housekeeper called her softly, to which Lena turned. “A ‘Kara Danvers’ is here,” she said. 

Lena hadn’t heard the bell from her balcony. And the blonde hadn’t called or texted to let her know she was coming so soon. The sun was starting to set but the kids were still playing. She didn’t want to cut their time short. But if she wanted to give them more time, she’d have to actually talk to Kara, or worse invite her in. The thought made her stomach sink. 

“Could you tell her to leave the kids a while longer? I’ll take them home,” Lena told the housekeeper, trying to slide through the crack. She knew it was a cop-out to use a messenger but she wanted to avoid talking to Kara at all costs.

“Of course Miss Luthor, I’ll tell her,” said the housekeeper as she left the balcony and went back inside. 

Lena followed casually to make it to a window that would allow her to look at the driveway and see Kara in her car. But before she could, she heard the voice of her housekeeper downstairs repeating the words she had told her to say. 

Kara wasn’t in the driveway. She was inside her house, kindly telling the housekeeper that she wasn’t there to pick up the kids yet and they could enjoy themselves. Lena wondered why she’d come at this hour if that was the case. 

Lena felt a knot in her stomach. She wasn’t dressed appropriately. She was wearing jeans and a sweater, and God forgive her, some comfortable crocs that no one outside had ever set eyes on. Her hair was ruffled from a nap earlier too. She couldn’t let Kara see her like this. But more importantly, she didn’t have the energy today to pretend with Kara, to act like she didn’t loathe her. She sighed heavily. 

Even so, she ran into her closet, rapidly putting on a better shirt, splashing some perfume and fixing her hair as best she could. Lastly, she changed into proper shoes and made her way to the stairs that led to her front door. 

“Hello,” Lena called Kara’s attention as she reached the end of the stairs. 

Kara turned to her, startled by the sound but smiling wide as soon as she saw her. “Hi!” she greeted back happily. She was also wearing jeans and a shirt, sleeves rolled up, oxford shoes. The casual look did the blonde many more favors than it did Lena. And she was carrying a box of donuts. 

“I wasn’t aware you were coming to pick them up already. They’re not ready,” said Lena. 

“Oh, no worries. I was just nearby and thought I’d make the trip. I hope that’s okay.”

“Yes, of course. It’s early though, the kids are having fun.” Lena knew what she had to say next though she didn't want to say it. “Please stay a while, let them enjoy themselves. Logan doesn’t have people over often.” 

“Thank you, yeah, I’d love to stay for a bit.”

Of course she would, Lena thought. 

The housekeeper walked in and put a basket of orchids nearby. “These are from Miss Danvers,” said the housekeeper, confirming Lena’s suspicion.

The blonde never had said why she kept trying to befriend Lena. It was still a conundrum. Some people wanted into her life to get something from her, but most wouldn’t go near her with a 10-foot pole. And then there was Kara Danvers, slithering in through the tiniest holes.

“You didn't have to bring those,” Lena said politely, walking a little closer to her.

“Oh, it’s nothing. And I did, it’s the first time coming to your house, it’s only polite,” said Kara. “I also got some donuts, because the kids loved them last time, and full disclosure, I love them too,” she added as she stretched out the box in her hands to display it and then pulled it back to her body. 

The housekeeper politely took the box from Kara.

Lena walked forward slowly but there was still an ample distance between her and Kara, just to be safe.

However, when the blonde found herself empty handed, she stepped a little closer. “So, um, hi, I guess,” she said as she awkwardly reduced the space between them and gave Lena a one armed hug.

Lena hugged back out of social convention but her whole body temperature spiked as she felt so close to Kara. The smell of the blonde’s perfume permeated her nostrils. A woody and citric aroma that was strong enough to imply that Kara had worn it not too long ago, as if just so Lena could smell it. 

When Kara pulled back from the hug, Lena found herself in charge of conducting a conversation she was not equipped to.

“The kids are outside, if you’d like to see them,” she said almost robotically.

“Great! Yeah, I’d love to.” The difference between her coldness and Kara’s warmth was abysmal. 

Lena smiled politely and led the way to the garden. I can do this , she told herself. She could just pretend Kara was like any other visitor. 

Except she rarely had visitors. Her visiting list consisted almost entirely of Sam and Ruby. And the housekeepers, although they could hardly count as visitors. 

And she couldn’t treat Kara like Sam, who was her best friend, but she could take some examples she supposed. The first thing Sam usually did was head to the kitchen to serve herself a beverage. 

“Can I offer you anything to drink?” asked Lena. Gosh she was rusty. 

“Sure, what do you have?”

Lena listed a variety of options and Kara settled for some sparkling water. Lena asked the housekeeper for some other drink options to be safe and a charcuterie board to be brought to the yard, then she continued leading the way to it.

As soon as they were out in the yard, Kara turned to the kids who were fencing from afar and shouted out to them to call their attention. Dean came running to greet his mom and Logan followed respectfully and greeted her as well. They were sweaty but content, and both Kara and Lena smiled as the kids got back to their game. 

Kara made herself comfortable and sat down. Lena sat on the opposite side for good measure.  The housekeeper brought the requested items to the table and left. 

The brunette was completely blank and could find no word to utter, no conversation starter, no topic to discuss and she sat in stiff silence avoiding Kara’s gaze. 

“If we keep talking like this we’ll run out of things to say,” Kara joked after a bit. 

Lena let out the slightest snicker. 

“Oh my God, did I just get you to smile?” Kara asked with a grin. “I’d only heard rumors about your smiling.”

That caught Lena’s attention. “I’m not sure what you mean, I’m always smiling,” she said with a straight face, then she and Kara broke into an unexpected simultaneous chortle.

“I do smile, you know,” Lena insisted.

“I know,” the blonde said with a grin. “I pay attention.” 

Lena did always feel like Kara was intensely focused on her whenever they were in the same room. But now she was trying to remember every time she’d smiled when Kara was around and she couldn’t decide how she felt about the blonde looking at her when she hadn’t been noticing.

“Thank you for letting Dean come over,” said Kara, changing the subject, thankfully.

“It’s my pleasure,” she responded. “Logan and him really get along and it's rare for Logan to find someone he really connects with.”

“Yeah, it’s the same with Dean. I worry about him but I can always be a little calmer knowing he has good friends,” said Kara. 

Lena smiled. 

“So, Logan is a lovely name, does it mean something?” asked Kara. 

“It’s of Irish descent, it means warrior,” said Lena. “And Dean is a good name too.”

“Oh yeah? I have no clue what it means exactly,” said Kara with a small grimace. 

“It means law or justice.”

“Wow, well, I gotta tell him that, I’ve been telling him it means valley,” she joked. 

“You can’t possibly have chosen the name based on that,” Lena teased.

“Valleys are super nice!” Kara pressed.

Lena shook her head with no seriousness, and leaned back on her seat, relaxing into it and putting her feet up to the side after she grabbed some cheese with jam and ate it with a cracker. She knew better than laying back with Kara there, but she did it anyway. She was so used to sitting on this patio alone other than when Sam was around, so the spot automatically brought her into comfort. She looked into the garden and watched the kids play. The thought of only Sam and her son seemed a little solitary all of a sudden.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been quiet that she had almost forgotten Kara was there. It was very peculiar to have some moments where Kara’s presence was so apparent, so sharp to her senses that she could focus on nothing else, and then this striking contrast where Kara’s presence felt so tranquil and undemanding that she could almost forget she was there.  

“So what do you usually do on a Friday?” asked Kara, pulling Lena from her own thoughts as she also ate from the charcuterie board. 

“I usually sit here and have tea or wine, just enjoy the view and fresh air, read a book.”

“What kind of books do you read?”

The Art of War, she almost said. “How to meet friends and influence people,” she said instead with a small smirk. 

Kara chuckled, catching the joke. “I was thinking you’d say something like Tolstoi or The Art of War.”

Purely a coincidence that Kara guessed that one Lena told herself. “That too,” she admitted. 

“I also thought you’d say you throw huge parties in this place, I’m a little surprised to find out you’re so-”

“Introverted?”

“Boring,” Kara corrected with a smirk. 

“Excuse me?” Lena called out as she threw a pillow at the blonde unthinkingly. 

Kara caught it and laughed and Lena nearly fell out of her chair when she realized what she’d done, playing with Kara as if she were Sam. “I’m so sorry, that was-”

“I deserved that. But I was just kidding, for the record, I don’t think you’re boring.”

“Thank you. I won’t be throwing any more pillows your way. I don’t know what possessed me,” Lena apologized nervously. 

“The spirit of the ghost that actually parties in this house,” Kara joked.

Lena laughed a little. “Did you drink alcohol on your way over? It’s very irresponsible of you to drink and drive.” 

Kara laughed this time. “Stone cold sober actually. It would be a terrible idea to be drunk around you.”

“Why would that be?”

“I’d probably say or do something I shouldn’t.”

That didn’t really clarify anything for Lena. She kind of hated how cryptic the answer was. “As if you don’t already say things you shouldn’t,” Lena teased. 

Kara chuckled. “Maybe I like getting a rise out of you.”

That you do , Lena wanted to say, but didn’t want to give Kara the satisfaction. And now what was eating at her was why it would be so terrible for Kara to be drunk around her. “Is that how you have your fun? Getting a rise out of people?” she provoked.

“No, it’s just the first step to making you loosen up.”

Lena frowned and tilted her head at the response. “And the second?”

Kara bit her lip, “maybe you’ll find out some other time.” 

The blonde really did like getting a rise out of Lena. She was left wondering what the hell that even meant. 

“So no big parties here then?” Kara reiterated. 

“No, it’s mostly me, myself and I, and Logan of course, on occasion a friend,” Lena said. 

“Sounds a little… lonely,” responded Kara softly. 

How could the blonde read her mind? “It can be.”

Kara gave a soft, sympathetic smile. 

“Not that a party would make that any better,” added Lena.

“Right,” agreed Kara, “I know what you mean, about the loneliness.”

How could she possibly? thought Lena. Kara had supportive family and friends, she was sure of it. At most, Lena could say she had a friend, singular. 

“How so?” Lena found the nerve to ask. She quite frankly wanted to throw her glass at the woman whose life seemed perfect and yet found something to complain about. 

“I…” Kara looked away, struggling to speak for a moment. 

Lena sat up straight to hear. 

“I had some dark years as a kid after I lost my parents to a fire and was orphaned,” explained Kara. “And then recently, to be honest, I had some hard times after my divorce. Turns out a lot of people really liked my ex-husband better,” she said with a dry chuckle. “But, you know, I put on a smile for Dean and not to worry my sister and friends. But I’m really lucky, because they’re super supportive of me.” 

Lena’s staring softened. This was the first she was hearing of Kara’s history. Never had it occurred to her that someone as kind and lighthearted as Kara had lost her parents at a young age. Lena was forced to reevaluate. She of all people knew exactly what that was like, and what it was like to put on a smile and pretend to be fine. 

Just then, the housekeeper appeared with a bottle of wine and 2 glasses. 

“What’s this?” asked Lena, unsure why she had brought it out. 

“Oh, I’m sorry Miss Luthor, you usually take your wine at this hour,” said the housekeeper. “Should I take it back?” she asked. 

“No, no, it’s fine, thank you,” Lena responded and the housekeeper put the tray down and left. “Would you like some?” she asked Kara. 

“Sure. Just a taste I guess, I have to drive home,” Kara accepted politely. 

“Plus you’re already drunk, as evident by your audacious statements,” Lena joked. 

Kara chuckled as Lena opened the bottle and poured them both some wine. 

Kara glanced at the bottle when she saw something familiar. She picked it up. “Sine Qua Non,” she said as a little crinkle formed on her brow. 

“It means a necessary condition without which something is not possible,” she explained. Wait a second, Kara recognized the name because… oh no.  

“Did you… happen to be at a local bar a couple weeks ago?” asked Kara, looking directly at her. 

There was no escaping it now.  “I did.”

“You bought me a drink, and my sister and friend, and it was expensive.”

“I was being polite.”

“I don’t know many people who do that out of politeness. I didn’t notice you there.”

“I was going to say hi but something important came up,” Lena lied. 

“You couldn’t stay?” asked Kara right away with a look of disappointment. 

“No. Anyway, you had other company,” Lena pointed out. 

“Oh, Alex and my friend Nia were just trying to get me to have fun for a bit, but you didn’t have to mind them.”

“I meant William. You looked rather cozy together,” Lena corrected with a tone of slight disgust equivalent to talking about vomit. “ I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Oh. You wouldn’t have,” Kara paused. “He and I are not-”

“There’s no need to explain yourself, he’s a handsome man, you’re a beautiful woman,” Lena said before she realized her words.

The blonde smiled at the compliment. “Yeah, William’s great,” Kara affirmed.

Lena took a larger than normal gulp of her drink and refused to meet Kara’s eyes. 

The blonde continued. “But we’re not like that. I prefer him as a friend.”

Lena now looked right at her eyes. “You do? Most moms would kill to be with him, and by that I mean they’d kill their husbands to be with him.”

Kara laughed, “he’s not really my type. I would have preferred your company,” she added without hesitation. 

She would have? Now Lena couldn’t look away. Her heart began thumping inexplicably. She licked her instantly dry lips and opened her mouth, unsure of what would come out. 

But their attention was snatched to the garden where the kids were coming up to them, exhausted from playing. 

“Fencing is awesome,” said Dean as they laid their equipment down to the side and Logan drank some water. 

“Glad you enjoyed it,” said Kara, rubbing his back encouragingly. 

“You can come play anytime,” said Lena, before she realized that her words were as much of an invitation to Dean as they were to Kara. 

Kara smiled for a moment before turning right back to her son. 

“Are we leaving?” asked Dean.

“I think so buddy. I kinda showed up uninvited,” the blonde said. 

“No, not yet, please. We’re gonna roast marshmallows on the fireplace and make s’mores,” he pleaded. 

“And your mom got donuts,” Logan pointed out. 

Kara turned to Lena, who smiled ever so slightly and nodded, for the children’s sake. 

“Okay, a little while longer,” accepted Kara. 

“Thanks mom, love you,” said Dean as he grabbed the box of donuts and followed Logan inside to see about all the preparations. 

Just as they went inside, Kara’s eye caught a box of the Hard-Working-Mom Bracelets that were visible from a window. “Are you a fan of them or just checking out the tech competition?”

Lena’s eyes drew to where Kara pointed. “The Hard-Working-Mom Bracelet you mean? The company is actually mine.”

“Oh, it is?” There was clear surprise on the blonde’s face as well as intrigue. 

“I was an angel investor when they were starting up, and later they sold the company to me and then I used my resources to make it grow,” Lena explained. 

“I had no idea. And I did a whole article on them a while back.”

“I don’t like the spotlight, despite what it might seem.”

“You have a good eye for business, no doubt about that. Have you invested in other companies I don’t know about?” 

“Are you always so inquisitive?” Lena fought back. 

“Yes, I am. It’s the reporter in me,” was all Kara offered. 

“I actually took a step back from angel investing. I took a step back from almost all business years ago because of Logan. I mostly just keep an eye around now, sign important things, make my terrifying presence known to keep everything in line. I have people handling everything else,” Lena explained.

Kara nodded and listened. “I won’t delve any further, I promise.”

“Good,” Lena said lightly as she sipped her wine. 

“And your presence is not terrifying,” Kara added.

“Most people would disagree.”

“I think it’s a mask,” Kara let out as if she were talking about the weather. 

Lena’s smile fell. Kara kept saying things like that, things that made it feel like she knew Lena. “So sure of that, are you?”

“Yeah. I just don’t see it, what everyone else supposedly sees, this callous, scary woman, it’s not you.”

“I have everyone fooled except for you, is that it?”

“Pretty much,” Kara nodded with a grin. 

“I wouldn’t tempt me if I were you.”

“Tempt you to what?”

“Prove you wrong.”

“You’re used to proving yourself.”

“Indeed. People underestimate me, and I love proving them wrong.”

“I don’t underestimate you. I think you’re… brilliant and beau-.”

Lena jumped in before Kara could finish. She didn’t want to let her. “All this claiming to know me better than most is…”

“Is what?”

“Alarming.”

“I have good instincts about people. I trust my gut.”

Lena wasn’t sure how to contest the blonde, she almost didn’t want to. “Well, regardless of whether it’s a mask or not, it’s served me well.”

Kara took in her words quietly, and Lena refused to say anything else on the matter.

Kara sat there for a quiet moment where she grabbed some more cheese. “Dean and Logan are getting along really well,” she said after a bit, releasing some of the tension by talking about something lighter.   

“Dean has been really sweet to Logan. He’s actually excited about school for a change, so it’s the least I could do, to have him over.”

“What’s the most?” Kara replied with a sly smile.

This was flirting, right? It most definitely felt like flirting. Damn it, she needed to ask Sam in the most subtle way possible. She couldn’t have her thinking Lena actually cared.

“Letting your sister in law have a tour of my company,” Lena replied cautiously. 

“That’s the most? I was thinking more along the lines of a drink together but okay,” the blonde said lightheartedly.

“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” Lena asked. 

“Not entirely what I had in mind, but close,” she said nonchalantly as she took a large bite of a cracker with cheese and jam. “Speaking of Kelly, she really loves L Corp,” she added moments later. 

Lena just nodded. 

“Are you not convinced?” Kara asked. 

“I’m not sure. What she said at the PTA meeting sounded genuine, but I’m trying to figure out whether Obsidian put her up to that or if it would absolutely kill Andrea’s ego to ever admit I’m good at something,” Lena said. 

“You know Andrea Rojas?”

Shoot. She’d let that slip, but she could bounce back. “She’s my competition, of course we’ve met.” 

“Right, well, I’m not saying Obsidian isn’t good at what they do, because they have the best people, like Kelly, but they could use some L Corp magic.”

“You don’t like the company where your sister in law works?”

“Oh, I like it just fine. Kelly does too, but she might be happier somewhere else. Somewhere where the focus of the products is to help people rather than a company where they only have her to avoid getting sued,” the blonde said with a not so innocent look. 

“Are you suggesting I steal an employee from Obsidian North?” asked Lena, a bit of a sly smile forming at the thought of Kara goody-two-shoes making a daring statement like that. 

“What? No, not steal,” she denied with a head shake, “but if you had a position that Kelly could fill and she applied, that’s up to her and you. That’s just healthy competition,” she said with a casual shrug. 

Lena smiled back.  “Here I was thinking I'd be a bad influence on you. It’s looking like it's the other way around.” 

“I didn’t mean it like that,” said Kara shily. “It’s just that she’s mentioned L Corp and how much she admires the work there.”

“Has she?” 

“Yeah, but, um, please don’t misinterpret, you don’t have to hire her if you don’t want to, and I’m in no way trying to give her an unfair advantage or anything like that. I’m just putting it out there to you, as a friend.”

A friend of Kelly’s or a friend of Lena’s? Which had Kara meant? Kelly, of course, Lena reasoned. She and Kara were not friends.  

“Don’t worry, I won’t misinterpret. It’s nice to know Kelly is interested. Maybe soon enough there’ll be a position available for someone in her field,” said Lena. She wasn’t sure what brought out a suggestion like that. 

Kara smiled wide and Lena could have sworn the smile was for her and not out of happiness that she’d helped a friend like Kelly. 

“Any thoughts on their new product?” Kara asked. 

“Obsidian’s?”

“Yep.”

“Is this an interview?”

“Of course not, off the record. What do you think about their new ‘Obsidian Platinum virtual reality lenses’- could that be any more wordy?” she mocked.

Lena smiled. Was Kara gossiping? Yes, she kind of was. This Lena had ample experience in, thanks to her mother. But this gossip felt harmless, nice even. “I thought the same when they launched. Good thing patents don’t charge by the letter.”

Kara chuckled, and Lena went on, choosing to answer honestly. This way, if her opinion ever got out, she’d know Kara’s true intentions. She knew it didn’t really matter if she was harsh on Obsidian, people already knew about their rivalry. Andrea would probably even love the drama. “Her lenses are a virtual prison. You can’t sell paradise. What they’re really doing is selling a perfect life,” condemned Lena. 

“They’re selling a perfect lie,” added Kara. 

“Exactly,” agreed Lena, “and perfection is unattainable. But the lie that it is at your grasp leads to an obsession with obtaining it. And that…” she grabbed the wine glass, “take it from me, is a bottomless pit of hell filled with self hatred and harm, and misguided anger at the world,” she said as she took a long gulp of wine. 

Kara looked sorrowful for a moment. 

Lena sat up straight when she realized she’d gotten a little carried away, a little too personal the way she’d do with Sam. Why was Lena so comfortable with Kara around? This damn cozy couch. She’d now have to get rid of it.

“You don’t have to try to be so perfect all the time,” Kara said softly, taking the brunette by surprise. 

Lena felt a tightness in her chest suddenly. It’s not like she hadn’t tried to reject what she’d been taught. Kara didn’t know how much Lena told herself that she couldn’t be perfect while striving for perfection all the same. Kara couldn’t understand how much perfection had been ingrained into Lena by her family. 

“I’m a Luthor, it’s expected,” Lena replied. 

“You don’t have to give the name so much weight.”

It seemed unreal that the weight of something so heavy as the Luthor name could disappear if she simply took its power. It was hard to believe that she had the capacity to do that. 

“The Luthor name was heavy all on its own, that wasn’t me.”

“Maybe that’s true, but if anyone knows how to take the power away from something and transform it into something else entirely, it’s you, like how you did with Luthor Corp, turning it into L Corp,” she countered.

Lena’s chest pain decreased but not disappeared. Kara’s words shifted her perspective. She didn’t sound like a victim when Kara spoke about her, she made Lena feel like she had actual power. She took the last sip of the glass. “That’s one way to look at it,” she said. “I kind of had no choice with that one,” she let out, a direct call out at the blonde’s article.

Kara looked distraught. The silence between them grew again, but was broken by both the kids showing up, their mouths with a little chocolate on them. 

“Mom, will you come to our first basketball game next week?” Logan asked his mother.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” she reassured him. 

“You don’t have to come mom, I probably won’t play unless someone gets hurt,” Dean said. 

“Of course I’ll go to your first game buddy, no matter what,” Kara assured him and he smiled. 

Kara stood up from her chair. “I think it’s time we get going. It’s late.” The sun had officially set.

“Yes, I suppose it is late,” Lena agreed as she also stood.

They all began to make their way from the garden to the main door. 

“Thank you for your hospitality. I think it’s safe to say that the kids both had a lot of fun today,” said Kara as she stood by the door with her hand on Dean’s shoulder as they said their goodbyes. 

“A lot of fun!” Dean insisted, “Thank you Miss Luthor,” he said. 

“You’re welcome darling. Any time,” Lena said with a smile. 

“Thanks for letting us come over champ,” Kara thanked Logan. 

“Of course. Thanks for letting Dean come,” he graciously said. 

“And you know you’re welcome at our house anytime. There’s always donuts,” said Kara.

“Yes!” exclaimed Dean enthusiastically. 

Lena smiled and appreciated Kara giving Logan the time of day. 

The boys had a goodbye handshake and Dean made his way to the car while Logan slid back into the house leaving Lena with Kara. 

“Thank you for the donuts and the flowers,” said Lena. “I'm sorry we didn’t get to actually eat the donuts.”

“You’re welcome, and I guess I'll just have to come over again specifically to eat donuts. Thanks for having us over,” said Kara. 

The whole thing was feeling a little redundant but Lena didn’t mind, though she didn’t know why she was stalling for time. “It was my pleasure,” Lena said. Then she looked at the car Dean had gotten into. No time like the present to bring it up. “Interesting car choice for a mom.”

Kara blushed a little. “Oh, that’s my ex-husband’s car. I think he loved it more than me.” 

“And you took it from him in the divorce?”

“Oh no, I’m… borrowing it for a bit,” the blonde said unconvincingly.

Lena thinned her eyes at her. 

Kara gave in. “Okay, he might not know that I’m borrowing it.” 

Lena hummed in acknowledgement. “You made quite an entrance with that car at school,” she pointed out.

Kara grimaced. “I promise I'm usually well behaved.” 

“I’m starting not to believe you,” Lena said with a smile. 

Kara gave a small chuckle. “Well, maybe sometimes it's fun to do the things we tell ourselves we can’t or shouldn’t.”

“You are a bad influence,” Lena teased.

“I thought you were a Luthor, I couldn’t possibly be a bad influence on you,” Kara bantered with a wink. If she’d said it with a different tone, or hell, if anyone else had said it, Lena would have been offended, but she wasn’t. It was actually a relief that someone wasn’t absolutely terrified of taunting the Luthor name. 

The blonde smiled sweetly. “Goodnight Lena,” she said as she leaned in for a hug, this time wrapping both arms around her. 

Lena took a deep breath in and hugged her back as normally as she could. The feel of Kara’s body was so inviting and she struggled to let go. She almost wanted to hold her tighter, but that was probably due to lack of frequent human contact, she told herself. She forced herself to pull back first. 

“Goodnight Kara.”

---

 

After Logan had brought it up, Lena wanted to dedicate time to look into the possible corrupt PTA parents. She had spent some time during the weekend looking into the suspicious parents, including all the events they had supervised and participated in to see if they had somehow taken advantage of their power. And it was quite clear to Lena that they had, even though she couldn’t prove it. She kind of wished she had a reporter or the skill of one to investigate this. Either way, she needed concrete evidence. She decided to take matters into her own hands. So Lena headed to the school on a regular Tuesday. 

She sat for sports practice and after it was over, told Logan to wait and she walked down the hall with purpose, and made her way to the coach’s office. 

She pushed the door aggressively and the coach jumped in his seat and turned to her with a startled high-pitched scream. “Miss Luthor, hello ma’am, hi, what brings you to my office?” he asked, already agitated.

“I just happened to sit in today’s practice,” she spoke gravely as she walked into his office.

The coach slowly pushed his chair back in fear, “oh yeah? That’s great,” he lied, “ I… I know the kids are a little out of shape but it’s the first practice and I’ll have ‘em ready by the first game.” He rubbed his sweaty hands on his pants.

“What a coincidence that you should bring up the kids because I did notice some weak links on the team, while other kids, more sports inclined kids were on the bench or not there at all,” she said nonchalantly.

“I can’t discuss students with you Miss Luthor,” he said, feigning a show of authority. 

“Lets cut the bullshit,” said Lena when she was tired of his pretense. “I know you cut some students from the team to make room for others less qualified. I want the names of the moms who put in that request,” she demanded.

“Please Miss Luthor, my cat just died and I’m really very fragile right now. Please don’t fire me. I just want enough money to feed my cats and fill my prius. I don’t want to be involved in these things,” he pleaded to her. 

“As you know, I chair the hiring and firing committee, so, the names,” she threatened and spoke a little louder.

He sighed, took out a paper and pen from a drawer and wrote the names down.

“This is the absolute last time any behavior like this will be tolerated, do you understand? We hold the highest standards in this school and I will not have teachers accepting bribes. You will come to me immediately when this happens.”

“They didn’t bribe me,” he said as he kept writing. “They threatened me just like you did. I thought you knew about it cuz they sure as hell bring your name up a lot. And I just thought this was some kind of test to see if I’d crack.” He finished writing the names and handed her the paper. “It isn’t a test, is it?” he asked, petrified. 

Lena tightened her jaw. “No.” She seemed like the other moms, but she was using her authority and the fear she inspired for good, it was different, she told herself. 

“Maybe it’s not such a good idea to have moms have that much power. That gets to people,” added the coach.

“I didn’t sign off on any of that behavior. Now don’t let this happen again. If anything like this happens, you come to me,” she said. She tried to dial down her menacing tone, but hadn’t succeeded. 

“Yes Miss Luthor,” he said, stiffly. 

That should have been enough, but suddenly, she doubted he would come to her if he was terrified of her. Or worse, she realized he might only come to her out of fear rather than respect. Just like a Luthor, she thought. She wondered if she would ever be able to cleanse herself from the Luthor mindset that made her thrive when push came to shove.

She sighed and softened her posture. 

“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” she said. 

He swallowed and then frowned, confused by the almost apology. 

“I don’t condone intimidation or blackmail or bribery of any sort. That’s not the vision I had for this school and that’s not why I’m in the PTA. No mom in the PTA should have the power to benefit her child over someone else’s. So please, next time something like this happens, you come to me, or if you don’t want to, submit an anonymous complaint. An independent board looks into those. Understood?” she said firmly but calmly. 

“Yeah, got it,” he said, visibly calmer. 

She noted the lack of a ‘Miss. Luthor’ at the end of his sentence. She hoped it was because he no longer feared her. 

“Miss Luthor,” Lena reminded him.

“Right, sorry, got it, Miss Luthor,” he corrected himself. 

She still needed to command respect after all. She nodded to him and left. 

---

“I’m off the bench!” Dean screamed first thing as soon as Kara made it home after some field work Thursday afternoon.

“What?” she asked in surprise as she took off her jacket and settled in. 

“I made the actual team, I’m off the bench!” he repeated as he showed up and gave her a quick hug, excited to talk. 

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, coach told me during practice today and said it was insane I was on the bench cuz I’m so good and he took me off it, just like that,” he exclaimed enthusiastically. 

“That’s amazing!” said Kara as she grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him lovingly and with matched enthusiasm. 

He grinned from ear to ear and Kara couldn’t be happier. What would Alex say now? Kara thought to herself with a contented smile. Until she answered her own question. Alex would tell her it was all too convenient that after spending some time with Lena and seeing her son bond with Dean, that the young blonde would be reinstated in the team. And if Kara chose to fight it, she imagined Alex saying that the seeming random luck in no way proved that Lena hadn’t blocked his entry in the first place. Kara’s smile disappeared. She wasn’t sure what to think anymore. Had Lena been responsible for Dean joining the team? Had she been responsible for him getting benched in the first place? 

---

 

A day later, leaving the school after all the moms had dropped off their kids, Lena walked with Jess as they made their way to the car waiting for them. Lena was concerned with making preparations for the most important event in the school year: The PTA president campaign. She ran every year since she’d first joined. 

She’d barely been at the school for a couple months before the scandal had broken out years ago. By then, she’d already made her first run for the PTA presidency. Her family name garnered respect and even some fear because of all the wealth and power, though Lena had insisted that she had nothing with Luthor Corp at the time since she’d left the company years before to homeschool Logan. Still, most parents did whatever they could to please her. Lena hadn’t hated it, but she’d had to put on the mask of cruelty they’d expected from her. She’d won the PTA vote. 

But the celebration had been short-lived. Kara’s article had been published; a nuclear bombshell to Lena’s life. Her reputation worsened. People wanted to please her and feared her for even worse reasons. But most people stopped speaking to her altogether for good measure. A few daring and ethically questionable mothers attempted to warm up to her even more because of the thrill, and those same mothers, who in the very least pretended not to be disgusted by Lena’s family, had ended up in the PTA with her. She’d had little choice in the matter, the others refused to get involved with her as president. 

The school board had wanted her to step down as PTA president and they’d even hinted at her leaving the school ‘voluntarily’ at the end of the school year. She's considered it, but it was Logan who had asked to stay in school. So Lena had argued and argued with the board to almost no avail, but in the end, money won them over (the last of her money she’d see for a while due to the FBI). Lena wasn’t proud of it, but she’d managed to stay on and keep her title, which gained a whole new meaning. It became the one thing the FBI or her family name or anyone couldn’t take away from her. 

She’d barely made it through that first year with the government pressuring her, her family being charged, the trial, the school parents. It had been almost too much. And to add to that, Lena had been left nearly penniless and homeless. Had it not been for Sam, she’d never been able to pick herself up. The woman had given her a place to stay and covered all expenses until Lena got back on her feet. Strangely, being PTA president had served in giving her a purpose. So she’d poured her heart and soul into it. Since she’d won, she’d promised herself to execute a pristine vision of this school and ensure the absolute highest standards. Even if people were scared of her, her tactics had taken the school from an average center to a highly coveted and respected teaching institution, which is why she kept winning the vote. No one dared run against her every following year, but Lena never took it less seriously.  

A couple of years of hard work later and Lena had turned Luthor Corp into L Corp, and the PTA was still a priority. It held sentimental value at that point and Lena couldn’t let go. And this year, it was no different. 

“So you’re definitely running again this year right?” asked Jess, “even though no one’s running against you.”

“Of course I am, as I do every year. I thought you said you had everything ready,” said Lena, ignoring Jess’s last comment.  

“I do, just quadruple checking,” said Jess, “the campaign preparations are underway and in a couple of weeks you’ll have a killer party, give a killer speech, and then you’ll be PTA president. Again ,” she emphasized the last word a little too much for Lena’s comfort.

“Good,” said Lena, her sense of pride evident, ignoring the last part yet again. 

“You’re doing the speech?” Jess asked. 

“Yes, I’m doing everything, as I do every year, speech included,” clarified Lena. “You’re not usually this inquisitive,” she commented as she turned to her at last. 

“Well, I was wondering if you’d take a break this year. Maybe let someone else run or just focus on other things,” said Jess, shrugging her shoulders as she made the suggestion. 

“Let someone else run? And have them destroy every bit of hard work I’ve put into this school? I doubt anyone could handle this kind of responsibility,” she said coldly, “and what kind of things do you propose I focus on that I don’t already?” she asked.

Jess looked away from her tablet and let her hand down as she held it. “Well, you literally have dozens and dozens of projects that you always said you wanted to work on when Logan got a bit older. This school is ready to be left to stand on its own feet for a while. And Logan is fine, he doesn’t need you there all the time. You could use your brain to its full potential, I mean PTA president is like worth 10% of your brain power? Yes, you help a few hundred kids, but with other things you could help thousands or millions. I mean if you actually tried you could kick Obsidian’s ass.” Jess let out the whole ramble at once and gave a big sigh after it, like she’d been holding on to those words for so long, but been unable to utter them. 

Lena went stiff, her face blank. Jess might have meant well but it all came out like a bone in a bite of soft food.

Lena nearly lost her temper but the fact that Jess’s words had struck a chord meant there was some truth to them. But Lena wasn’t ready to hear them now. She needed to be here for Logan. She wasn’t ready to give up the PTA. 

“Ooh, Obsidian North is great, my wife, Kelly works there actually and -,” came a recognizable voice from behind. 

Lena turned to it and a familiar short-haired brunette with a not so subtle attitude turned to her before jumping in surprise and squeaking out a “Jesus Christ,” as if they’d run into a ghost. “Lena, hi. I didn’t know it was you, I just heard Obsidian and … nevermind,” said Alex, wanting to end the conversation with Lena rather than prolong it. 

Lena raised a brow at the surprise, “Hello Alex, and no, not Jesus, just me. You were saying,” she pushed her to continue. 

“I wasn’t. Nothing. I was saying nothing,” Alex stuttered. 

“Your wife Kelly works there,” Lena repeated, letting her know she had heard her. 

“Oh, Kelly, well, yes,” she began, looking around but finding no way out, “she works at Obsidian, and... she’s really happy there,” she began saying mindlessly, simply finding words to put into the awkward space that was her conversation with Lena.  

Then, another interruption. A loud engine that Lena now recognized. 

She and Alex both looked its way, an unavoidable distraction, but very much a wanted one by Alex from the look of her face. 

Kara had arrived in her muscle car. 

Lena felt her breath hitch as she looked at the car. Her pulse spiked as the engine was cut and the driver’s door opened and Kara stepped out. 

“Parking in the pick up spot, that’s not gonna end well for her,” murmured Jess, but Lena could have cared less for her comment. “Oh and the driver of the mustang is Kara Danvers,” Jess grimaced at Lena. Evidently, Jess already had that information before and hadn’t wanted to share it. Most likely Sam’s influence, Lena figured. 

The blonde looked their way and waved as she walked towards them. 

By the corner of her eyes, Lena witnessed as Alex widened hers. Lena also noticed as Alex lightly but stiffly turned her head from side to side, as if telling the blonde not to come over. 

It felt like slow motion. The distance from the car to the entrance where Lena stood seemed outlandishly stretched out. 

The blonde walked confidently. Her hair tied up and not a care in the world as she stepped up before Lena and Alex in a tailored grey suit, or maybe a regular suit that just happened to fit her to perfection. 

“Lena, hi,” she said, “hey Alex,” she greeted them both casually, as if she greeted them every day, as if Lena was at the same level of trust that her sister Alex was.  

“Kara,” she greeted back simply. 

“Thanks for coming to say hi, we were just leaving,” Alex barged in, grabbing Kara by the hand and pulling her away, or trying to, but Kara’s body leaned back towards Lena. 

“Actually, I wanted to talk to Lena about something” she said. 

“What?” said Alex. “No you don’t,” she added. 

“Yes, I do,” Kara clarified. 

“About what?” asked her sister. Mirroring what Lena was thinking. 

“Is it about how you’re planning to come in an appropriate car to school, or how you’d contribute extra time to any school activities to make up for your outrageous offense during the bake sale?” Lena found herself saying. It was needlessly harsh. The bake sale had been weeks ago and Lena didn’t even care about the car anymore. But she couldn’t have the other Danvers sister thinking she had a soft spot for Kara. She had to make it absolutely clear to Alex and all other onlookers that Kara got no special treatment. 

Kara seemed taken aback by the answer but quickly settled herself. “Um, actually, I wanted to talk about work.” She turned to Alex, “do you mind if I have a moment with Lena?” she asked politely. 

Alex raised a brow and stared at her before processing the request. “Fine, it’s your funeral- I mean time!” she tried to correct before speed walking away awkwardly. 

“I’m sorry to catch you like this, but I figured it was the best way to ask. I like to do things like this in person,” Kara spoke. 

Lena tilted her head, “Ask what?” 

“I was actually wondering if I could interview you. I think you’ve done amazing things with L Corp and I’d love to ask you about how you turned it around. I know you might feel uneasy about interviews and especially with me, but it would be on your terms entirely, no questions asked. Well, except in the interview of course.”

Lena fought as hard as she could not to instantly reject the proposition. Was Kara absolutely mad? Lena had definitely convinced the blonde she trusted her and now it was working against her. The fine line she kept trying to walk with Kara, making her think they were friends without actually being so, was proving to be much more difficult than she anticipated. 

“Oh, Miss Luthor doesn’t do-” began Jess. Lena had almost forgotten she was standing there, but she wasted no time before shutting her down. 

“Alright. I’ll do it. Jess, set up an interview in my old office at L Corp with Miss Danvers,” she said, her tone friendly. She was cautious with it. 

Jess turned at Lena in disbelief at her response, “What?”

“An interview. With Miss Danvers,” Lena repeated to her before turning to Kara, “Kara,” she corrected, “I’m available tomorrow, at 5:00 p.m.” she said. 

“You are?” said Jess, dumbfounded. 

“I am,” Lena confirmed, glancing to Jess and back to Kara. “My assistant Jess will be there during the whole interview of course, assuming there’s no issue,” said Lena. 

“That’s perfect, and yeah, of course, like I said, your terms,” confirmed Kara, smiling wide.

Jess turned only from Lena to Kara and back, in complete shock. 

Lena smiled back. “See you tomorrow,” she responded.

Kara’s smile got larger and she nodded before parting. 

When Kara was at enough distance Jess finally spit out what she wanted to say. “What was that?!” she exclaimed, surprising herself at her audacity. She rarely questioned Lena but she seemed to be a little more bold today. 

“Business,” said Lena.

“Business?” repeated Jess.

“Yes,” responded Lena simply as she began walking. 

But Jess wasn’t done. Something was most definitely suspicious about this whole thing. “Why didn’t you ask for the questions in advance like you do with all your interviews?” she began grilling. 

“It’ll seem too calculated, like I have something to hide, whereas this makes it feel more spontaneous, more organic,” Lena answered. 

“But she said ‘your terms’, why not take advantage of that?”

“Who said I'm not taking advantage? I'll handle that during the interview.”

“Why all the way in L Corp which is in the city? You could just do it in your office at home,” Jess continued. 

Having Kara in her home was dangerous. Lena had gotten too comfortable and she was not doing that again. 

“If the article is about L Corp, it’s only suitable that the interview be there so that she may see for herself how the company functions. Doing it at my home would yet again seem to hint that I am hiding something from her, whereas in L Corp, all will be out in the open. I’ll even suggest that she interview an employee, which she will politely reject because why would she do that when she has me?” explained Lena. 

“And I’m going to be there?” asked Jess.

“For some of it, or at least nearby. I’ll let you know when or if I need you. Besides, if I had an agent or public relations manager then it wouldn’t seem organic. You on the other hand seem harmless, but are mostly aware of the lines that people can’t cross, and if she should try to cross them then you’d shut it down politely,” explained Lena. 

“Okay,” said Jess with some curiosity, and after a short pause she asked, “And if the article comes out damaging?”

“We’ll do damage control with another article from the competition. They’ve all been dying to interview me and I’m sure we can find at least one company that’s willing to ask the questions we want and take the answers we give them,” Lena explained, every answer to Jess’s question on the tip of her tongue, even if they were bringing out her Luthor tactics. 

“And if it’s good?” Jess asked. 

Lena stopped in her tracks and turned to her, “What do you mean?”

“What if it’s good publicity?” she said. “I mean there is a chance that it’s not a damaging article right?” 

Lena stopped as if to think of it. “Then … it’ll be... a good article,” she answered unconvincingly and moments later kept walking.  

Jess opened her mouth but said nothing, instead, she opened her tablet and wrote down the interview in her agenda. 

Lena had thought it through, at least what Jess was going to ask her. 

What Kara was going to ask she had no clue. 

Jess was right in making those questions. Lena couldn’t figure out what Kara wanted. She was throwing herself into the unknown, something a Luthor never did, just so she could prove what exactly? That she could take the hit and come out on top? 

Though the interview could go a million ways, most likely to hell, she figured this was the perfect opportunity to finally find out Kara’s real motives. 

She had Jess set up her make-up artist for the interview. She knew it wasn’t going to be televised, but she needed to look presentable of course. 

---

Later that night, a light blinked in Lena’s phone.

Kara: Are you awake? [8:17 p.m.]

Lena picked it up and smiled unconsciously.

Lena: Hello Kara. Of course I’m awake, it’s not even 9pm [8:18 p.m.]

Kara: you never know with moms. 8 can feel like midnight. Anyway, I’m sorry for texting (kinda) late but I realized you hadn’t sent me any terms or conditions for the interview.  [8:18 p.m.]

Lena: Well, I suppose I don’t have any. So long as we stick to L Corp and its transformation.   [8:19 p.m.]

Lena knew that was a condition in and of itself. She was ever so subtly saying: ‘don’t bring up my family’, but she knew she couldn’t say it because Lex and Lilian and everything related to them was at the core of the Luthor Corp transformation into L Corp.

Kara: Of course.  [8:19 p.m.]

Lena wasn’t sure if Kara didn’t mind the restriction because she simply didn’t or because she planned to ignore it. 

Kara: Could I also ask about you?  [8:20 p.m.]

Lena: about me? [8:20 p.m.]

Kara: Well you are an integral part of L corps transformation of course, but people might be curious about other things. [8:21 p.m.]

Lena: such as? [8:21 p.m.]

Kara: personal ones? [8:21 p.m.]

Lena typed a ‘no’ but then deleted it. 

Her heart had picked up a beat. Obviously the topic of her being a lesbian would come up. It was not exactly a secret, but she preferred to keep her personal and professional lives separate. Why would Kara even care about something like that? Who were these supposed ‘curious people’?

Kara: it helps make you more relatable. And i know that many people would appreciate it, but you absolutely don't have to. [8:22 p.m.]

Lena: Try your luck tomorrow. [8:23 p.m.]

Kara: ooh, interesting. Promise I'll go easy on you. ;) [8:23 p.m.]

Lena could almost imagine the blonde winking at her. 

Kara: Also, just letting you know that another reporter will be joining us for the interview.  [8:23 p.m.]

Another reporter? Lena’s smile faded. 

Lena: Oh? I wasn’t aware that more than one reporter usually interviewed the same person simultaneously. [8:24 p.m.]

Lena thought about that for a moment. Finding out someone else was joining made her feel… disappointed? No, that probably wasn’t it. Perhaps it was a good thing that it wasn’t just Kara interviewing her.

On the other hand, it might mean it would end up as two against one and she’d be cornered, but after all, that was what Jess was for. And the interview was in her territory, so she still had the upper hand.

Kara: You might know her actually. Her name is Nia Nal. She’s a mom at the school too. She’s mostly joining only to watch and meet you. But she’s a fan of L Corp’s charity work and she might ask some questions about that and its contributions to LGBTQ+ foundations and its diversity hiring. [8:25 p.m.]

Lena knew Nia indeed. She remembered her obscene gestures at the bar not too long ago. She also knew Nia was transgender so it was no surprise she’d be interested in that topic. 

After not answering for a moment, Kara texted again.

Kara: But if you’d rather not get into that or you’d rather it be just me that’s fine too. Like I said, your terms. [8:27 p.m.]

If you’d rather it be just me. Lena could’t have Kara knowing that. She planned to seem like an open book, and if Nia was in fact an admirer, it would help ease off the tension, it might even help her steer the conversation another way if the interview got uncomfortable. 

She thought for a moment that it could be that it wasn’t just her that was a little unsure of the interview and that Kara was perhaps also slightly nervous, which would explain why a journalist of her caliber would bring a companion. 

Lena: That’s fine. She’s welcome to join. [8:28 p.m.]

Kara: That’s great! Thank you. We’ll see you tomorrow. [8:28 p.m.]

Lena: Until tomorrow. [8:28 p.m.]

---

Lena hadn’t been at L Corp for a while and she’d kind of missed her old office (Sam’s current one), the work environment and the respect when she walked down the halls. She had an office at home, but it wasn’t quite the same. 

She’d been ridiculously busy today, rushing from meeting to meeting. Everyone who had something pending to talk about had been anticipating time with her since she’d stepped foot in the building. Since she wasn’t at L Corp often, everyone had to take advantage of having her there. 

But busy as she was, in the back of her mind her worry about the interview never ceased; it had begun piling up since the night before and had become more distracting than she had counted on. She regretted not making the interview first thing in the morning so she would have gotten it over with and wouldn’t have wasted a whole day worrying.

She had texted Jess early that morning to ask her to look into Nia Nal and her repertoire of interviews and any other relevant information. From what Jess had told her, the reporter was barely starting and focused mostly on issues of LGBTQA+ like Kara had mentioned, so Lena calmed down if only slightly. She didn’t think a reporter like that would be interested in attacking her or had any reason to.

It was 4:00 p.m. when she checked her watch again. In a few minutes the make-up artist was due, but she still had one meeting to get through. 

She hustled into the next meeting and told Jess to let the make-up artist wait in her office when she arrived. 

One meeting turned into three and to her inconvenience, the make-up artist had to leave as the clock struck 5:00 p.m. Lena was too busy to show her indignation and she was about to head into another meeting when Kara made her way near her to greet her. 

“Lena, hi,” said the blonde. 

It was not lost on Lena how Nia had turned to Kara, clearly surprised by the familiarity between them. 

Lena approached quickly and signaled to Jess that she’d be right there at the meeting. 

“Hello Kara,” she greeted the blonde with a professional smile before turning to Nia, “and you must be…”. 

“Nia Nal, Catco, Miss Luthor. It’s lovely to meet you,” greeted Nia with a handshake.

“I’m so sorry to make you wait but I’m afraid you’ll have to. I have an urgent meeting to get to unfortunately, but I hope I won’t be long,” Lena said. 

“Don’t worry, we’ll wait,” said Kara kindly. 

“You’re welcome to wait in my office,” said Lena as she pointed to it and looked to Jess so that she may take them there. 

They both smiled and followed Jess to the office as Lena turned to go to her meeting. 

---

When she checked her watch again it was 6:10 p.m. A whole hour of delay for the interview. 

The office building was empty aside from the people leaving her most recent conference. Jess quickly followed her as Lena hurried to her office.

When she opened the door, Nia, who had been positively stretched on her couch, was startled by her entry and quickly sat up and cleared her throat. 

Kara, who had been looking at an old photo of her and Sam, turned and smiled right away, not seeming upset by the wait at all. 

“I am terribly sorry for the delay, I had some urgent matters to attend to. Thank you for waiting,” Lena spoke as she walked to her desk.

She hadn’t had a chance to get her make-up touch up, so the make-up she had applied this morning would have to do.

Kara and Nia walked towards her and Lena made her way to her chair behind her desk as she pointed to the seats in front for the two women.

“Let’s get started, I don’t want to delay you further,” she said. Jess walked and stood by Lena’s side.

Nia jumped right in, “Alright, then let’s get to it. Your competitor Morgan Edge recently released a new product similar to one of yours, and in the process made a claim about his design being sabotaged by his number one competitor, being L Corp. Do you have any comments on that?” 

Kara turned to Nia in surprise at the question, which was not lost on Lena. “Um,” the blonde merely uttered with a frown, but Lena began speaking.

“I guess we really are getting right into it,” said Lena as she straightened her posture, “Morgan Edge released a copycat product of L Corp’s and when they began exploding from terrible manufacture, decided to blame us for sabotage, though he has only his faulty design to blame.” answered Lena. 

“Are you saying that L Corp had nothing to do with the explosions of the devices that landed dozens of people in the hospital?” Nia rephrased. 

“Wait a minute,” said Kara to Nia, who seemed baffled by the line of questioning. 

“I believe I already answered your question Ms. Nal. When Samsung phones began exploding they didn’t blame Apple,” she said, making it evident that Nia was targeting her for an absurd claim. 

“Let’s be honest,” Lena continued when she saw Nia go quiet, “you wouldn’t be asking that if my last name was Smith.”

“But it’s not,” said Nia, “It’s Luthor,” she responded quickly. 

Kara breathed in and opened her mouth, taken aback by the turn this interview had taken.

“It wasn’t always,” responded Lena before Kara had a chance to speak.

Lena turned to her while answering, “I was adopted when I was 4. The person that made me feel most welcome was Lex. He made me proud to be a Luthor, at least at first. Then he and Lilian committed unspeakable crimes. After my family was convicted, I vowed to change Luthor Corp, rename it L Corp, make it a force for good,” she said, making sure to not call Lilian ‘mom’ in order to distance herself. “I’m just a woman who tried to make a name for herself outside her family, could you understand that?”

“Yeah,” Kara finally jumped in. “I used to feel the same,” she said, reflecting on how difficult it had been to get out of her cousin’s shadow.

Nia opened her mouth to speak up, but Kara stopped her, “I think I’ll take it from here,” she said. Nia was about to protest but was interrupted again, only this time by a ring of her phone. 

She read a message and turned to Kara. “It’s Brainy, I have to go.” 

Kara nodded.

“Here”, said Nia as she handed Kara a paper from her notebook, “I wrote down some of the questions I wanted to ask if that’s okay. If you manage to get to them I’d really appreciate it.”

The blonde took it, “Okay, text me to let me know everything’s okay,” she said. 

Lena watched the interaction unfold before Nia turned to her apologetically, “I’m so sorry Miss Luthor, I have an emergency and I have to go,” she said. 

“That’s alright. I’m happy to give you another interview on the LGBTQ+ topic another day,” she offered to seem polite, but at the same time she was letting Nia know that she had overstepped with her questions, and she made sure to indirectly tell her what kind of topics were more suitable for a reporter such as her to ask. 

“Goodnight,” said Nia as she walked out, “Bye Kara,” she added. 

Jess showed her out and as she shut the door and stepped back right next to Lena, her own phone began to ring, “I’m sorry Miss Luthor,” she quickly apologized as she reached for it to silence it. 

Lena noticed it was Jess’s mother when she glanced at the screen. “That’s alright, you may leave Jess. I’ll finish the interview with Miss Danvers,” she said. 

Jess looked up as if to ask, are you sure? , but she didn’t want to seem like she was questioning Lena, who was her boss after all.

“I’m sure,” said Lena, reading her expression, “go home. Thank you for staying, HR will handle the extra hours you gave today,” she said. 

Jess smiled, “Thank you Miss Luthor,” she said before saying goodnight to both and leaving.

“I guess it’s just us now,” said Kara with a shy smile. 

The words made Lena take note of just how alone they truly were now, and she felt herself starting to get slightly nervous. But at least she had the desk as a physical barrier to help her feel more guarded.

“Is it alright if we sit on the couch?” asked Kara as if having read her mind. “I prefer to be a little more casual and this feels so formal,” she explained kindly.

No , Lena wanted to say, and she usually had no issue saying what she felt in the right circumstances. 

“Of course,” she answered instead as she feigned a smile and rose from her seat to make her way to the couch nearby. What the hell are you doing? she asked herself. 

Kara waited for her to sit first, like it was some kind of date. After requesting informality, the blonde was making Lena even more nervous with all the formality. 

“Please sit,” Lena found herself saying.

Kara obliged and readied her pen, but not before glancing at Nia’s questions and then putting them away. 

“I didn’t know you were adopted, and I probably should have,” commented Kara, starting off amicably.

Lena loosened up a little at not having to face another attack. “You should. It’s the second thing you’ve missed,” Lena recalled about the Working Moms Bracelet. “And here I was thinking you could uncover anything. Maybe you’re not as good a reporter as I thought,” she said. It would have been a verbal assault to Kara had she not said it so coyly. 

“Or maybe the Luthors are good at hiding things,” Kara answered back in good-natured banter.

This isn’t so bad , Lena thought. They were just starting but maybe hiding real thoughts behind coy words would get her through this.

“I’m an open book,” contested Lena as she opened her arms in the air for a moment. 

“I don’t think people would call you that,” said Kara with a subtle chuckle and smile.

“Why not?” played Lena. She knew damn well she was no open book, she knew she was all sealed boxes, but Kara didn’t seem to mind the white lies. 

“Well I can’t remember the last time someone interviewed you,” said Kara.

“Well, being private about my life and an open book about my company are two things that can coexist,” said Lena.

“Everyone knows Lena Luthor doesn’t do interviews,” pushed back Kara.

“And yet you’re here, aren’t you?” replied Lena.

“I guess I’m an exception,” answered Kara with a smile.

“That you are,” agreed Lena in a soft voice. 

There was a moment of silence while Lena waited for the next question. Kara simply observed her while sitting still. There was a gentle energy about her. A strange comfort came over Lena and then something else, a wave of sorts.

“Tell me about L Corp,” Kara said, getting down to business.

“Well,” Lena took a breath, glad to change the pace, “we’re in technology among many things. We specialize in the design and fabrication of-”

“Not that,” interrupted Kara. “I know all about that. I’ve seen L Corp’s website and I know its vision and mission and products. What I’m asking is about you.”

“I thought you wanted me to talk about the company,” said Lena with an eyebrow raised. 

“Yes, but you made this company, you are the force behind it. So I want to know your motivation behind keeping a company like this afloat after all the scrutiny it faced. And even knowing that you had several other businesses to keep you busy and a son,” explained Kara. “It’s pretty impressive, and no easy feat. So what kept you going?”

Lena blinked. She felt more exposed than on a PETA anti-fur cover. Hardly anyone ever recognized her effort. Most comments she got to her face involved curse words rated R. And if people ever thought good things of her at all she didn’t know, and if they did they didn’t show it. Sam and Logan, and occasionally Jess were the only people that ever gave her compliments to her face. 

Still, Kara didn’t seem to know that the scandal and her article had compromised all her businesses for some time and she’d had to rebuild those too. The reality was a lot more complex than the blonde knew, but it was too much to disclose right now.

“I’ve always had some internal motivation to be great,” Lena began again, “or maybe my father built it into me since I was a child. He always told me I was meant for great things. What I never expected was that one of them was motherhood. That came later. When Luthor Corp was left in shambles I felt an obligation to my father to lift it back up, and even more so to my son, to make sure the Luthor name was something he could be proud of.”

Kara wrote down her words but did her best to keep looking up at Lena.

“You’d been completely separated from the company for years at the time, correct?”

“I had. Years before, my professional vision had clashed with that of my brother and mother. And I also wanted to focus on motherhood and smaller projects, so it was a natural progression.” A half lie. It would have to do. There had been nothing natural about Lex and Lillian’s domineering behavior and selective deafness when it came to her opinions or about her exit from the company. 

“Say more,” said Kara.

“When the company went bankrupt I was devastated. I couldn’t let my father’s legacy go down the drain. I had to take back control.”

“You’d felt out of control?”

Lena swallowed. “Yes, watching it all crumble before me, nothing I could do about it.”

“You did manage to do a lot eventually,” Kara noted.

“It took blood, sweat and tears, literally.”

“Literally?” 

“I accidentally cut myself on something at this building one day, blood was spilled,” Lena said lightheartedly.

Kara chuckled. 

“Were they worth it? The blood, sweat and tears.”

“You tell me, the building has my name on it and I hear it does alright,” she said with a smirk.

“Barely a few billion a year, you might want to keep an eye on your expenses,” Kara joked.

Lena chuckled.

“Joke aside, you have reformed the company reputation,” Kara spoke. “You must be proud.”

“I am. Took a while, but the effort paid off.” 

“So, you mentioned motherhood,” said Kara, “how did you make that decision? And how has it impacted the way you work?”

“At some point in my life I just felt ready to start a family. Most people wait for the right person to start it with, and I found that person in university, and they happened to be my best friend, Jack Spheer.” explained Lena. “He was going to be very involved in Logan’s life, but he passed away many years ago,” she said with great sadness. 

“I’m sorry for your loss,” said Kara. She felt herself frown at the mention of a man but she licked her lips and continued to listen with focus. “Please, go on.” 

“The only difference with me and Jack and other couples was that he and I weren’t romantically involved. Jack was kind enough to offer his sperm and 9 months later my son was born. A whole new purpose in my life,” said Lena.

Kara smiled and wrote it down. “Kids have a way of renewing our purpose in life,” she agreed.

Lena leaned forward, suddenly excited about talking about Logan. “I expected some of it but when it actually happened, when he was born, this part of me that I never knew existed burst out, it was this need to be everything that baby needed me to be and to give him everything I possibly could, and even after that, to continue to work harder to be a better person for him. It changed me entirely.”

“The same thing happened with me”, Kara joined. 

This was Lena’s first interview where the interviewer shared about themselves, she kind of liked it this way.

“I mean about the new purpose in life, not the getting a sperm from my best friend,” added Kara in a humorous chitchat. “Well, I guess in a way that is sort of what happened. We’re not that friendly anymore though.” 

“I’m sorry,” Lena found herself saying though she could have guessed. 

“Oh, don’t be, it was for the best,” Kara said as she waved a hand in the air to brush it off.

Lena nodded as she raised her arm to the couch to rest her elbow on it while resting her head on her palm.

“And as for how it affected my work, my son became my priority. I took a step back from my company and left it in very capable hands. I check in every now and then. And I focus on smaller projects on the side. But my son always comes first.”

“You’re a very involved mother I understand, part of the Parent Teacher Association at his school,” Kara said.

“I am, since the very first year my son entered.”

“According to faculty, teachers and some moms, since your entry, the school has had an improvement in test scores, facilities, infrastructure, detention rates, bullying, and I could go on.”

“Purely coincidental,” Lena said with a sly smirk.

Kara chuckled, “smart, beautiful and humble.”

Lena bit her lip nervously at the compliments, unsure how to react. And darn it, was she blushing? 

“I'm surprised any mothers have good things to say about me,” Lena let out.

“Why’s that?”

“Off the record?”

Kara nodded.

“Their usual demeanor with me is civil, at most. If they have good things to say about me they’ve never said them directly to me.”

“Maybe they find you intimidating.”

“Oh?” Lena tilted a brow. 

“That’s on them though. But, just so you know, they didn’t mind saying good things about you when I asked. They recognize what you’ve done for the school and hence their children.”

Lena was surprised. Did some people actually appreciate all the effort she’d put into the school? Maybe she wasn’t as hated as she thought. “If you say so.”

“I do,” Kara affirmed. “So, moving on to trying my luck… are you seeing anyone?” she asked curiously. 

Lena felt a shift in the air. “No, not currently,” she answered simply. 

“Why’s that?” questioned the blonde, hoping Lena would go on. 

Lena hadn’t really promised anything last night, so she didn’t have to keep talking, but she did. “Maybe I’m just one of those people meant to be alone. A Luthor is hardly relationship material,” she said casually as she got up and served herself a glass of whiskey from her desk. “A drink?” she asked Kara after giving her a glance.

“I’m on the job, but thank you,” answered the blonde as she adjusted her glasses and fixed herself in her seat. She frowned at Lena’s words and pursed her lips. “Why do you think you’re meant to be alone?” she asked as she put her notebook to the side.

“I’m too busy,” she dodged rather than say ‘extensive family trauma’. Then she quickly turned to Kara to amend her words, which were already too much information. “The part about not being relationship material, that’s off the record please.” Lena noted Kara hadn’t even jotted any of that down but still, she had to say it. 

Kara nodded, “of course, off the record,” she confirmed. “I disagree by the way,” the blonde added.

“With what?” asked Lena as she made her way back to the couch with her glass in hand.

“With you not being relationship material. I’m sure there’s dozens of people that would line up to date 2013’s sexiest woman of the year,” she said with a little head tilt.

“I wasn't on that cover,” replied Lena with astonishment at how Kara had gotten that information. 

“Only because you turned it down,” said Kara. “I know at least a  couple people that think you’re very attractive and would be interested in dating you, both men and women.”

“I’m not interested in the former,” Lena cleared up, almost too quickly. A couple of people? Whom? 

“Is that off the record too?” carefully asked Kara.

Lena smiled. “No. I’m private but even I couldn’t hide that I was a lesbian for too long,” she answered as she took another sip of her glass.

“So it’s true that you came out roughly in your twenties,” Kara stated in a half question.

“I guess you already knew the answer before you asked,” Lena responded.

“I wouldn’t be a good reporter if I hadn’t done some research,” Kara adjusted her glasses nervously.

“I thought we’d established you weren’t a very good reporter at all,” Lena taunted outright. 

Kara laughed out loud, not taking herself or Lena’s words too seriously. “Tough but fair.” 

The blonde had a lovely laugh, even Lena had to admit that. “I was actually outed by my ex,” she said after a couple seconds followed by a long gulp of whiskey. 

“Oh,” Kara reacted in shock. “I’m sorry, that must have been hard. I’m lucky that I got to come out as bisexual on my own time.” 

Lena raised a brow as quickly as it went back down. Bisexual it was then. She hadn’t been so far off at the bar. A hint of a smile appeared on her lips but not for long as she returned in thought to what she had just said. She had just divulged a detail that few people around her knew. She hadn’t even told Jess about Andrea outing her (although she hadn’t explicitly said who her ex was), and here she was, telling Kara Danvers for some inexplicable reason. 

Lena turned to Kara to speak but the blonde beat her to it, “that last part is also off the record,” Kara said with a polite nod. 

Lena nodded back. “Is it too much off the record? You’ll end up with no article to write.”

“It’s fine, I agreed to this on your terms,” the blonde graciously replied. Kara got a message just then. She checked her phone and Lena glanced at it, reading it by accident. 

Cat: Did you get a scoop? [6:35 p.m] 

Lena frowned. A scoop? What was Kara hoping to find out with this interview? 

Kara returned to the earlier conversation, “I had to make sure you were part of the gay community, for the fans out there.” 

“Fans?” asked Lena, her brow raised in curiosity. 

“You know, members of the LGBTQ+ community who like knowing that there’s someone like them who runs a successful corporation in a straight, white, male-dominated industry.”

Lena smiled and played with her glass, running her fingertips on it. She felt herself blush slightly but she tried to control it.

“Millennials and Generation Z love a Head Bitch In Charge, even more if she’s gay,” said Kara. 

Lena smiled wider despite her best efforts. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you’re a…” Kara cut herself off.

“That’s alright,” grinned Lena, “It’s the first time I don’t mind hearing someone call me a bitch.”

Kara smiled and adjusted her glasses. “I’m guessing your sexual orientation has something to do with your donations for LGBTQ+ foundations and your support for LGBTQ+ run businesses,” she said as she grabbed her notebook again.

“I wasn’t subtle there. I want to contribute to the community and the youth to create awareness about the subject and maybe make things easier for anyone who’s too scared to come out or already has and is facing discrimination or worse because of it,” said Lena. 

This time, Kara eagerly wrote down Lena’s words.

“If we keep up this line of questions your friend will be left with nothing to ask me in the interview I promised her,” said Lena as she put her drink on the table.

“Nia,” reminded Kara, “I don’t think I trust her around you,” she added.

Lena rapidly looked up at Kara. “Oh?” 

She felt… no, could it be butterflies in her stomach at the implication that Kara was somehow protective of her? That was the most absurd thing she could have imagined. And she told herself she only craved some sense of protection out of feeling unsheltered by the Luthors her whole life. 

“I told her she could tag along but I don’t think she got the purpose of this interview,” explained Kara. 

“What is the purpose?” Lena asked.

“To do my job, report,” Kara answered matter of factly though Lena was not convinced. “I have other questions but it’s late and I could just send the rest over via email. I think I have everything I need for now,” said the blonde as she put her pen in her notebook and closed it.

Lena sat up, she felt a little disappointed that the interview had reached its end. It had all been surprisingly easy, short. It hadn’t felt ill intentioned, just a regular interview. Maybe she’d be open to doing more in the future, and closing down wasn’t the answer.  

“I want to thank you for doing this,” said Kara as she stood from the couch. 

Lena mimicked her movements.

Kara continued, “I was ready to be completely rejected by you when I asked for this interview”.

“Then why did you ask?” said Lena, “You must have had some glimmer of hope of a positive answer or you wouldn’t have asked at all.”

Kara smiled shily, “Maybe I did have some hope you’d say yes, I’ll admit.”

“Based on what? If I may ask,” said Lena curiously. 

“Well, L Corp has done some incredible things, and usually it’s Sam Arias who’s the face of everything. I knew that you didn’t do interviews, and haven’t done any for a while, but after the Morgan Edge statement, I thought you might want a chance to give your side of it, and finally have an interview yourself to brag about all the good you’ve done. But it turns out you’re not that great at bragging.”

Lena wasn’t convinced with this answer either. Sam could easily handle an interview about L Corp just as she handled all interviews about competitors and any slander that came their way. Hell, the communication department handled things on their own at times. Edge’s ridiculous claims were no exception. In fact, his accusations were barely worthy of an answer.  

“Is that so?” Lena found herself asking boldly. “I’m not convinced,” she said directly.

Kara looked down and then back up, “Or, maybe,” she began, “I hoped you wouldn’t hate the idea of sitting down with me and talking.”

“Talking?” repeated Lena, half as a question, half as a way of processing it as she looked at Kara, the blonde staring directly into her eyes now.

“Yes,” she spoke, “talking about L Corp and how you’ve transformed it. I wanted to give you the chance to show the world who you are, and maybe redeem yourself after...”

“Redeem myself?” Cut in Lena in instant outrage. At this moment, it dawned on her what this whole interview was about. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Everyone just thought I did because of your article,” she exclaimed. “This isn’t about my redemption,” she said as she straightened her posture, “this is about yours. You want to publish an article about how I survived so you don’t feel so guilty about what you did.”

“Lena, I shouldn't have-, it was the wrong word-” stammered Kara.

“But you can’t do an interview like that without actually talking about the hell I went through because of you, which you didn’t really ask about. Because I’m not quite sure you could handle that, could you?” she said, enraged, all of it coming out with no filter. “Admit it, you want to prove that you’re not a heartless person. You’re just throwing some sort of pity party for the only Luthor left so you can clear your conscience,” spat out Lena. “This interview is about you, and as of 1 minute ago, is over as you said.”

“No, it’s not like that,” Kara pushed back.

“Of course it is,” fought Lena as she stood, “what kind of journalist would interview a person whose family they incriminated? And if it’s not a pity party then what? Another bombshell to destroy my life all over? Write whatever you want Miss Danvers, I can’t wait to read your scathing article just like the one you wrote about my family,” she said as she moved back to her desk. She really needed that barrier right now. 

“Lena, please,” pleaded Kara as she slowly stood from the couch. “I know what my article did to your family. And at the time, yes, I looked into you for it. But the more I looked the less I found regarding your involvement in the family business. So I left you out of it...I tried to at least.” 

“It made no difference to leave my first name out, you turned my last name into poison on everyone’s mouth. I got dragged in the mud with the rest of them. I was still a Luthor, I still am,” stated Lena. 

“Not entirely, apparently,” contested Kara, “you said you’re adopted.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” questioned the brunette. 

“That there’s something about you that’s different from them. You aren’t your family and I know that because…” she fell short. 

“Because I testified,” finished Lena. “My testimony was the coup de grace for my family’s trial, and you think I’m proud of that?”

“It was the right thing-” tried Kara.

“Don’t patronize me on the right thing to do Miss Danvers. All you ever cared about, you and your cousin, was and still is putting us behind bars. And you didn’t care about the collateral damage you caused. I have a son who had to suffer because of what you did.”

“I never meant for that, I wouldn't never want to hurt-.” 

“Like I said, this interview is over. Please leave my office,” Lena said sternly. 

Kara sighed deeply, her posture defeated. She reluctantly grabbed her things, turned around, and left. 

Lena sat on her desk, feeling depleted. Of course Kara’s intentions had nothing to do with ‘reporting’. This had all been a pathetic attempt for the blonde to vindicate herself or worse, another and final shot at the Luthor name, a last nail on the coffin. That article was either going to be some absurd puff piece for Kara’s ego or it was going to destroy her, and it had all been a colossal miscalculation on Lena’s part. She had allowed this to happen in spite of all the signs. She had no one to blame but herself for this. 

---

 

“Wow, I have no words,” said Sam as she held her phone in hand and walked into her office some days later. 

Lena looked up but refused to comment. 

“Dusting up the old office huh? Or looking to replace me?” joked Sam.

“Don’t be silly, you are much better at this than I ever was. I just missed the view a little” said Lena, working on some papers related to the PTA campaign. She stood to give Sam her desk back but the brunette gestured for her to sit back down.

“Did you read it?” asked Sam. 

Lena looked up again, “yes.”

Sam’s eyebrows went up, “And?” she pressed. 

“And what? It was all a trick,” said Lena. 

“How so?” asked Sam, curious to see where Lena was going with this. 

“She feels guilty that her article on my family destroyed me, though I don’t recall she had difficulty accepting a Pulitzer for it,” said Lena. 

“Most people don’t feel guilty about anything that they do. The fact that she does says a lot,” said Sam. 

“No it doesn’t. This article was never about me. It was all about Kara’s ego,” said Lena. 

“Oh, Kara, I didn’t know you two were on a first name basis,” said Sam with a tease. “Although I suppose one does tend to be on a first name basis with their sexy as hell… frenemy I want to say,” she said nonchalantly.

Lena gave her a sour stare. “Her boss texted to ask for ‘the scoop’. What’s the scoop Sam? Nothing Kara actually asked was scoop worthy. She was hiding something.”

“Lena, I don’t think you understand what this article has done,” explained Sam as she sat by the chair in front of her desk. 

“So a few people might think I’m not the wicked witch of the west, I doubt it convinced most,” said Lena.

“Oh, I didn’t even mean what it had done for you or us as a company,” said Sam, “although this is absolutely incredible publicity and our sales are amazing right now. I meant what it has done to her .”

“What does that mean?” asked Lena, putting her pen down. 

“You really need to get a twitter account in the least,” said Sam. “She’s getting attacked left and right, being called a hypocrite and what not. It’s a huge blow to her credibility.”

“As I suspected it might be if she wrote something positive. So what? If it’s all to feel better on the inside, what does it matter?” argued Lena. 

“It matters because most people don’t risk their careers to try and undo what made them so successful in the first place. And she did you a huge favor. I mean the person who wrote the article that destroyed you by accident is now coming out and telling everyone that they misinterpreted everything in a very 2003 fashion, and is now painting you in an amazing light. That is the best thing that could have come out of that situation.” 

“A situation that she’s responsible for. She damned me in the first place,” responded Lena. 

“Lena, we both read that article years ago, you weren’t in it,” said Sam earnestly, though she knew the danger of treading in that zone. “But I know, it hurt you either way. But maybe this is her apology.”

“I don’t care for it,” Lena answered right away. 

“Really? Because you want someone to be angry at? You should be angry at Lilian and Lex for what they did,” said Sam. 

“I am,” said Lena. “And I can also be angry at the person who exposed them.”

“I know you Lena, and I know you don’t actually want to be angry at anyone. I know you think your rage fuels you to be better but I actually think it’s your desire to be better than your family that fuels you.”

“So what are you saying? That I should be thankful that she ruined my life?” contested Lena. 

“Not thankful for the mess, but…” she sighed. “Look, she couldn’t have known about the collateral damage, and maybe you’re right to be mad because she didn’t think of you, but if this article says anything, it’s that she’s trying to tell you she’s sorry,” spoke Sam with sympathy for the blonde.

Lena sighed. Sam did the same. 

“She has no idea what she did to me, no clue of the catastrophe she caused. But she did cause it. She ruined me. How am I supposed to get over that?” asked Lena. 

“I knew you hadn’t forgiven her for a second,” Sam noted, recalling Lena’s words weeks ago about a truce with the blonde. 

Lena rolled her eyes. “Obviously not!”

“She ruined your mom and Lex, your ruin was accidental. And only a temporary thing because you got back on your feet. And it’s been years, Lena, you have to let it go,” said Sam. 

Lena sat quietly. 

“Look Lena, no one has written an article like this, a good article about you personally, leaving L Corp aside, in a long time. And quite frankly not many people are looking to. She’s the one that pushed for it and she’s the one taking the heat for it,” said Sam.

“So I’m supposed to deny that the reasons are selfish?” asked Lena. 

“You don’t know they are, you only assumed they were. And if you’re asking me, apologizing isn’t the most selfish thing we can do. It’s probably one of the hardest things to do. That’s why your family has never apologized to you for what they did, and they probably never will, but it’s them who need to beg for your forgiveness as far as I’m concerned, not the reporter who did her job,” said Sam, dead on. 

Lena opened her mouth to fight back but she didn’t, Sam was probably right as she always was. 

“So now what? I basically told her she was full of it,” said Lena. 

“Well, you could try and do the same thing she did. Go and apologize,” said Sam.

Lena groaned. 

Sam chuckled, “Mhm, it sucks. But hey, with your line of thinking this will help you feel better once you do it. Selfishly motivated and all that.” 

Lena rolled her eyes at her. “How do people apologize?”

“Flowers, calls, or in person ideally. Take your pick, you got this,” said Sam.

“How are our sales since that article?” asked Lena a little quietly.

“Doubled in 24 hours. Thousands of 5 star reviews suddenly came in. People love you and are happy to have you redeemed. ‘We been knew’ is the most common phrase I read in the comments,” said Sam. 

That was incredible, Lena knew. 

Then Sam’s phone rang and Lena caught the caller.

“Kelly. You and her are certainly closer than I thought,” Lena noted.

“Are you a little jealous cuz I have another friend?” Sam pestered.

“How come you never told me?”

“I didn’t think you’d take it well.”

“You’re right, not because you have another friend but because she’d married to the Danvers, who detests me by the way. But still, you need to stop sheltering me.”

“I’m not, didn’t I just hit you with many hard truths?” She said with a smirk. 

“You did, but I know you still try to protect me.”

Sam smiled. “I can’t promise I won’t do that.”

“So, how long have you been friends?”

“A few months. We just struck up a conversation last year about something, I can’t remember but we hit it off. And now I’m helping her with this new app she’s developing. It’s a meditation app, but it also has a lot of things like quick interventions in case of panic or anxiety attacks. It's got tools for relaxation, like tapping or affirmations. It’s really cool.” 

“Sounds interesting.”

“Yeah, she’s still working on it and she asked for some help with marketing and testing it. It would be great if you could consider investing in it. Here,” Sam grabbed Lena’s phone. “I’m going to download the beta version for you. It would actually help if you could test it too.”

Lena took her phone back after Sam had downloaded the app. “I don’t need it.”

Sam rolled her eyes. “Yes you do! Gosh, you suck at asking for help.” 

Lena pursed her lips. 

Sam got up from the chair. “Alright, I only came by to say hello, I have actual work to get to,” she said as she got up and headed for the office door. “Love you,” Sam winked at her and headed for the door.

Lena smiled. “Love you too.”  

Sam smiled at her and left. 

Lena called Jess right away. 

“Jess, send Kara Danvers flowers with an apology note,” she said. 

“Was it because of the article?” asked Jess. 

“Nevermind that Jess,” Lena rolled her eyes at her prying assistant. 

“Right, sorry. How many bouquets?” asked Jess.

A message came into Lena’s phone at the moment and Jess’s question flew past her. 

The message said something about a problem with 30 containers. 

“30,” said, thinking out loud as she read the title message and opened it.

“Ok, got it Miss Luthor,” said Jess.

---

“You sent flowers with an apology note, seriously?” grilled her Sam later that night on a call.

“Yes,” Lena admitted shily. “Who told you?”

“I asked Jess. And that doesn’t count!” exclaimed Sam. 

“Why not?” Lena asked back in exclamation as well. 

“You didn’t even write the apology note did you?” Sam asked. 

Lena could sense her tone of judgment that she only ever accepted from Sam. 

“Is that important?” Lena asked cluelessly.

“Lena, you were supposed to do it via a call or in person,” explained Sam. 

“You said: ‘flowers, call or in person. My pick,’ you said. I simply picked one,” justified Lena. 

“Well, yeah, but those were in order of severity of fuck up. You yelled at someone that did you a favor. You were supposed to pick a call or apology in person,” clarified Sam. 

Lena huffed. “Alright I’ll call,” she said in defeat.  

Sam stood silent. 

“I can feel you squinting from across the phone,” said Lena. 

“That’s because I am. Just go talk to her, Lena. It won’t be as bad as you think. As your CEO, I have carried out endless negotiations and trust me, they’re always better in person,” she said. 

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes I do,” said Sam with conviction.

“How? Why are you so trustworthy of her?” pushed back Lena. 

“I don’t know. It’s my gut feeling alright. And you know my gut is worth a lot. It’s the reason I trusted you when we first met. It’s never wrong,” Sam said with complete assurance. 

Lena sighed. “Alright, I'll go. I suppose I’m not too busy right now.”

“Okay, good, I’ll leave you to it.”

“Okay.”

“You are going, right?” Sam asked again, making sure. 

“Yes, Sam, I'm going,” said Lena with a slightly bothered tone, “and I’m hanging up the phone.” 

“She likes potstickers by the way,” Sam added.

“What?”

“The Danvers sister. Lives off potstickers.”

“How do you know that?”

“Kelly mentioned that she eats an inordinate amount.”

Lena wasn’t sure she even knew what those were but she’d find some. 

“Good luck. Love you,” said Sam.

“Love you too, bye,” said Lena as she hung up. 

Lena groaned . Why did she agree to that? The last thing she wanted was to see Kara Danvers and apologize.

---

 

Lena drove carefully by the street searching for Kara’s house number before she found it. She already had the address from Logan’s visit. The house looked alright from the outside; surprisingly well taken care of. 

She stepped out of the car and walked to the door with a box of donuts (Logan had mentioned she liked them) and potstickers. What a strange combination, she thought. She rang the bell and stood there, but got no response for a few seconds. 

“Door’s open. Come in!” she heard Kara’s voice from behind the door. 

How very casual , she thought. 

She turned the knob and let herself in, only to be greeted by a cat. “Was that you who answered?” she said amiably as she put the food aside and for some reason, she decided to follow the cat through a hall.

“Kara?” She called out and got no answer. She was about to call again when she found herself staring at a huge frame where Kara’s old article stood enlarged. Lillian always hated the photo they’d picked for it. “So unflattering,” she’d said at the time. “Speak for yourself, they got my good side,” Lex had countered when they still had their humor and thought they'd get out scot-free. 

Unthinkingly, Lena reached out to straighten it. Her fingers gently traced the frame. For a moment she admired the style. She’d barely applied pressure but the frame suddenly came sliding down the wall, falling onto the floor, the glass breaking everywhere. 

Lena bent down and instinctively tried to pick up the glass. The first piece she grabbed and she cut her hand. “Fucks sake!” 

  “Streaky, what did you do?” a voice came from deeper inside the house. 

Lena turned to find Kara down the hall, already rushing to her. The blonde was barefoot, wearing long shorts and a short sleeved crop top. Her hair was down and it was the first time Lena had ever seen it that way. It was also the first time Lena had taken notice of Kara’s physique. Kara was not only displaying her strong muscular arms and legs, but also the most perfectly squared and marked set of abs. It almost angered Lena how great she looked. 

“Lena! Are you alright?” Kara called in concern. “I’m so sorry, I thought you were Alex, she comes unannounced sometimes.” 

“That’s okay, I was just-” began Lena, her eyes forcefully diverting from Kara’s whole body to her face. “Stay away, you’re barefoot, you’ll get hurt,” Lena warned. 

“You’re hurt,” Kara noted, ignoring the warning and practically stepping on the broken shards. “Oh God, it’s bleeding,” she pointed out the cut on Lena’s wrist. 

“I’m quite alright,” Lena began. Her eyes diverted down to Kara’s abs and she obligated herself to look up again. 

“No, you’re bleeding, come, sit down. Let me get something for that,” said the blonde. 

Lena was led to the living room couch. And as she went in, she could now see that the whole house was stacked with flower bouquets, her own no doubt. It dawned on her as she thought back to her request, that she had mixed up and told Jess to send 30 flower bouquets. And it was in fact an astounding amount of flower bouquets.

Kara disappeared for a moment and reappeared with a bottle of hydrogenated water and some cotton. 

She grabbed a chair and pulled it closer to Lena, sitting in front of her. Her abs were exposed yet again and Lena didn’t know why she was even thinking of that. Probably the blood loss. 

Kara took Lena’s injured hand, her concern for Lena visible. 

“I’m sorry about the frame, I know you won’t believe me, but I really I didn’t mean to-“ Lena tried to keep her voice as clear as possible, though the feel of Kara’s hand on hers made it challenging.

“Oh, that’s fine, it’s… don’t worry about it, I’ve been meaning to take it down actually,” Kara stated as her focus was on Lena’s hand as she examined it. 

Lena nearly complained at the loss of her touch as Kara let go of her to add some hydrogenated water to the cotton she had. 

“Let me see,” Kara asked this time and Lena extended her arm for her. 

The blonde gently began dabbing the cotton on the cut, engrossed as if performing surgery. 

The moment of silence was uncut and Lena’s attention was fixated on Kara’s hand, her touch, her eyes carefully examining the wound. She could have simply called Kara to apologize instead of coming over. She wanted to kill Sam for convincing her to go over because 30 bouquets were enough of an apology already.

Kara looked up, meeting Lena’s stare. Had she caught her gawking at her ridiculously hot body? God, Lena hoped not.

“So, you’re here,” Kara said softly.

“I am, although I think the universe disagrees with my choice.”

“No, I think that was more a sign for me, really.”

“How so?”

“I've been meaning to take the frame down for a while and I kept forgetting.”

“Why would you do that? It’s one of your greatest accomplishments.”

Kara sighed. “It doesn’t mean what it used to.”

Lena was about to speak but a sneeze came out instead, then another.

Kara quickly pulled a napkin from a nearby table for her. “Allergies?”

“Oh, I think so. Don’t know why,” she added though the dozens of flowers surrounding them had not been lost on her.

Kara chuckled. “I was about to mention that my house is overflowing with flowers,” she said with a wide smile on her face.

“Oh, really?” Lena played dumb with a raised brow and a head tilt. 

Kara smiled even wider as the hand that held Lena’s caressed it, much like it had during the bake sale.

Lena’s breath began getting erratic. Was this what the kids meant when they said ‘touch-starved gay’? She surely felt like it right now. She felt herself getting hot, sweaty almost, but that was not the problem, the fact that she visibly took a deep breath was. Kara had to have noticed that. 

Kara let go of her hand to replace the cotton. When she reached back to Lena, the brunette’s other hand flew to Kara’s. But rather than push it off gently as she intended, it simply lingered, holding Kara’s hand in place as the blonde tended to her wound. 

A few seconds after, Lena was softly caressing Kara’s hands which held her own. She was already regretting having touched Kara. Her skin was so inviting, like soft hotel sheets after a long flight, she wanted to sink into her. 

Where was this coming from? She hated Kara, absolutely hated her, she told herself. Even this apology was only to please Sam, she didn’t actually mean it.

“I… read your recent article,” Lena said softly, “and I wanted to apologize for what happened the night of the interview. I shouldn’t have lashed out. I’m just so used to being attacked, I always have to look for the angle or what people are gaining out of an interaction with me and I when I thought you had an angle, and your boss texted about a scoop, which I read by accident… I just… didn’t know how to react,” she said. 

“The flowers are beautiful and more than enough, but I’m glad you came. And I get it. I completely understand why you felt that way. Cat’s always looking for a scoop in everything, by the way. But I’m hoping you’ll see that I’m not trying to destroy you, and that I don’t think the same things of you as I do your family,” she said. “I don’t think the Luthor name deserves you actually,” Kara added so casually, looking up this time.

The Luthor name didn’t deserve Lena? Lilian had always made Lena feel that it was the other way around. 

Kara had a way of making her doubt everything she thought. Lena wondered if people could really separate her from the Luthor name. It seemed too improbable to be true, but it made her smile to think of the possibility. 

“I’m kind of glad for the interview now, especially that disastrous ending,” Kara said softly. 

Lena frowned at the words. “I kicked you out of my office, why are you glad?” 

“Well one, it got you here and helped clear the air a little, and two it got you here.”

Lena chuckled. “You said that already.”

“Yeah, I’m just saying sine qua non you wouldn't be here.” 

Lena snickered. “That’s not how it’s used.”

“You know what I meant,” the blonde said with a small blush. 

“You’re a reporter, you’re supposed to be great with words.”

“A reporter in English, I don’t speak Latin,” the blonde replied, to which Lena cackled. 

The blonde gazed at Lena for some seconds. 

Lena looked down for a moment to avoid looking at Kara’s eyes. She could only do it a few times before it was too overwhelming. So she looked at Kara’s hand, noticed her short nails, and her moisturized skin. She was only choosing to distract herself, and it wasn’t only from her eyes if she was honest. 

The truth was that even though the glass had drawn some blood, this whole scene was excessive. There was no need to treat her, or give her this kind of care or attention. There was no need to pat the cotton repeatedly or hold her hand the way Kara was. A couple balls of cotton would have done the job. Hell, a napkin would’ve probably done it. 

Lena was utterly confused. What was real and what wasn’t? Was Kara being truthful? She couldn’t be sure. The only thing she was sure of was that she couldn’t let herself be made a fool of. She heard Lillian's voice in her head (which she hadn’t heard in a long time) telling her that the recent article proved nothing, that the blonde still had hidden motives, that she couldn’t fall for Kara’s lies or Kara’s smile. Her absolutely beautiful and charming smile. 

When Lena finally looked up again, she was so close to the blonde. Had she somehow leaned forward? Had Kara? 

Kara’s eyes were on her, examining carefully. 

Lena’s lips parted open. And Kara simply moved closer, too close, too much, but Lena stayed put. 

She took a sharp intake of breath, and then Kara pushed forward and Lena felt the soft touch on her lips. 

Her eyes immediately closed and Kara moved in to kiss her better, her lips slowly enveloped hers. 

A soft moan escaped Lena. Her lips moved to reciprocate and she kissed Kara back gently. 

And with every touch of their lips, Lena moaned again, faintly, but incapable of stopping herself. 

Their lips parted only to adjust, but it was a split second to make a decision. To cut it off and leave. 

Lena pushed away and ran out. 

Except she hadn’t. She only imagined that she had the willpower to do that. She had actually leaned back in, her lips getting to know Kara’s once more, wanting to trace more of the blonde’s soft and sweet lips.

Lena’s lips were seeking the touch like water in the desert, pushing her whole body forward to meet Kara’s. 

Her hand was now feeling Kara’s soft, silky hair though she didn’t even remember reaching up to it. 

And then Lena felt Kara’s breath get heavy, heard her let out a desperate moan that made Lena whimper. It was like nothing Lena had felt in years. She should leave, and yet again, their lips parted only to meet once more, to feel the touch in a part that hadn’t been there. 

Kara’s hand gently slid up to the back of Lena’s neck to pull her in closer. The feel of Kara’s hand was like electricity, giving Lena chills.

Kara’s hand moved, caressing Lena’s neck in the process and then sliding up to cup her jaw. Lena found herself now wanting Kara’s hand in other places too.

Kara’s tongue brushed on her lower lip for an instant before Lena was finally able to process her situation.

What the HELL was she doing kissing Kara Danvers?

Lena abruptly pulled back and stood, out of breath. Her eyes met Kara’s. Her own face of bewilderment was not lost on the blonde who waited for her next move without a word. 

“This was a mistake,” Lena said as she turned around and nearly ran to her car outside.  

Kara tried to follow her to stop her from leaving, but in the process, dropped the hydrogenated water bottle which she had left in her lap. 

“Shoot,” said the blonde as she rushed to pick it up. “Lena, wait!” Kara pleaded as she put the bottle back in its place and threw some napkins over the spilled liquid.

As Kara made it to her door, Lena was already in her car, taking off, and leaving the blonde sighing with a disappointed look that Lena chose not to see in her rear view mirror.

---

Lena drove to her house but didn’t get out. She was furious, hot and confused by Kara’s actions. 

She needed something to calm her down. 

She looked at her phone and sent a message to an old acquaintance. She got a response soon enough. She stepped on the gas, leaving the road to her house behind. 

She drove to a nearby hotel and rapidly booked a room for the night though she wouldn’t need it that long. She made her way to the elevator and then her room, and waited. 

The 15 minute wait felt like an eternity and all she had to think about was Kara. Her audacity, the absolute gall of kissing her. It was all a plan surely, to trick her, to make her fall for her or to confuse her in the least so she could make her vulnerable and then strike when least expected. Her mother was right. Kara would do anything to take down the last Luthor. 

Then came the knock on the door. 

“Took you long enough,” said Lena as she opened it. 

“I had to stop for mouthwash. Long time no see,” said Roulette, wearing a red dress, showing off her dragon tattoo, and a fur jacket, similar to the last time Lena had seen her. She could count on her consistency.

“You know the rules, shower and full clean up first,” said Lena as she let her in.

“Why do you think I stopped for the mouthwash?” said Roulette, stepping in and putting her bag on the side, then sliding off her faux fur coat.

Roulette knew how it was, she’d known Lena since university where they’d studied together with Andrea. Roulette had eventually quit school, and some years later Lena had become one of her best clients back. Not that she loved it, but Lena got lonely, especially after Jack died and he was no longer there to push her into dates and random hookups just for the fun story the next day. 

Roulette unzipped her own dress and let it fall as she walked to the bathroom. She was wearing nothing underneath it and Lena simply enjoyed the view as she knew she could. “You used to have abs,” Lena said aloud.

“Ugh, back in college maybe. Who’s got the time to work out these days,” Roulette said. 

Lena followed her in and sat down on a chair in the large bathroom and watched as Roulette did what Lena always asked. A full body cleaning. That meant a complete shower, hair and body, and brushing teeth, twice, then mouthwash. And Lena watched because she wanted to make sure it was done right, and well, because she could. Roulette didn’t mind anyway, she’d get her compensation for it. 

Roulette turned the faucet on the shower and put the toothpaste on the toothbrush while she waited for the water to heat up. “Is it that bad? You haven’t called in a long time,” she said. 

“Missed me?” teased Lena. 

“Maybe,” Roulette responded. 

“Your hair is not as blonde,” Lena noted. 

“Dyed it a while back. You don’t like?” Roulette said as she brushed her teeth.

“I preferred it a little blonder,” Lena answered. 

“Since when? Last I heard you liked brunettes,” responded Roulette, who had once upon a time learned about Lena and Andrea.

“I’ve just wired you the full sum,” Lena deviated as she locked her phone and put it aside. 

Roulette, “thank you for purchasing my cleaning services,” she said as brushed her teeth. The cleaning service was a front for, well, this.

After a thorough mouth cleansing, she walked into the shower and began washing up. She looked directly at Lena as she did, making sure to be as clean as possible, and making sure she was being looked at in the process. She slowed down a little as she cleaned her breasts and her buttocks, and even more so when her hands went down to clean between her legs. 

Lena didn’t mind the wait when they used to do this, but she was impatient today.  “Don’t waste time,” she commanded. 

Roulette raised a brow and finished washing up. Lena didn’t miss the smirk on her face. Roulette could tell when she was hot and bothered and now that she had gotten a little show she was definitely hot and bothered. Kara was out of her thoughts, she told herself. 

Roulette stepped out and dried up. Her hair was left moist but Lena didn’t give time for drying it up. 

“Let’s go,” Lena told her as she walked back out into the room and began undressing. She turned off the lights in the process, leaving the whole room nothing but darkness to be lit by the moon.

“Someone is really ready today,” said Roulette. 

Lena was already out of her clothes and she layed on the bed in her underwear. 

Roulette adjusted herself between Lena’s legs and wasted no time, she didn’t even need to get warmed up, Lena was already as wet as she needed and then some. 

“So who do I thank for prepping you up?” Roulette teased.

“Yourself,” Lena responded. 

Roulette chuckled, “I don’t think so, but thanks, I'll take the compliment,” she said as she pressed her tongue directly onto Lena’s clit. 

Lena instantly released a moan, a loud one, as she threw her head back and opened her legs. 

Roulette knew her job and she sucked and licked just as Lena had always liked back in the days that she had been single and the occasional times she had called throughout the years. Some things never changed, and Lena’s sweet spot was as sweet as it always was. 

“Do you like the way I lick you?” Roulette asked. 

“Shhhhh,” Lena quickly responded. “No talking,” she demanded. She didn’t want to hear Roulette speak. 

Maybe some things did change, thought Roulette as she went back to it. 

Lena looked down and quickly looked back up. Roulette looked blonder than she really was in the dark. Or at least in Lena’s imagination she did. 

Lena grabbed onto the hair but it wasn't smooth, it was still wet from the roots and dry at the bottom from hair dye, and not at all like Ka- not at all soft. She grabbed onto the sheets instead. 

Roulette’s nails gripped at her legs, “no nails,” said Lena. 

Roulette did as told and kept her mouth focused on Lena, who wasn't usually this particular, at least not beyond what she already always required her to do. This was new. 

But once she was done, the rest was the same; As soon as Lena was finished, so was Roulette’s time. 

For Lena, it had been the most unsatisfying orgasm she’d had in a long time. If anything, she was even more frustrated than before. Either way, she immediately began getting dressed and Roulette did the same. 

“It was good seeing you,” Roulette said. “Don’t be a stranger,” she added as she finished putting her dress and her jacket on. She grabbed her bag and just as she was about to leave, she stopped and turned back towards Lena. “So who is she?” she asked. 

Lena turned back in surprise at the question and Roulette’s continued presence. 

“Excuse me?” she asked. 

“Who is she? This blonde, short-nailed woman whose voice you want to hear instead of mine? The one you actually wanted down there,” replied Roulette.

Lena turned her back to Roulette, as if to pretend nothing was wrong, as if the question wasn’t exposing her, and as if it wasn’t making her think of something she did not want to think of. 

“I don’t know what you mean,” Lena responded. 

Roulette let out a small huff of disbelief, “You never minded my nails before, or my hair or my voice, now all of the sudden, I’m too much of a burnette, and my nails are too long, which they aren’t really, and my voice isn’t appeasable and I need to hush.”

Lena remained quiet. She checked the time, the visit hadn’t taken her very long, but then again, she hadn’t wanted it to, Roulette did charge by the hour after all and she had to get home.

“Alright, well, whoever she is, I hope you get the girl. Must be bad if you had to call me after all this time,” said Roulette as turned back to the door and opened it. “How’s Andrea by the way? You two still sworn enemies after she outed you? More importantly, is she still the toxic bitch she always was?”

“I don’t know, she never really changes though, does she?”

Roulette scoffed. “Take care Lena,” she added at last and left. 

Lena hadn’t looked back and it was difficult even now. There wasn't much to see in the dark anyhow. And she felt like if she turned, Roulette would still be there and she’d have more questions. 

What did Roulette know anyway? Lena simply liked her a little blonder and wasn't in the mood for getting scratched today. Roulette didn’t know what she was talking about, thought Lena. There was no blonde, short-nailed woman whose voice she preferred and who she wanted going down on her. 

Lena slipped her feet back into her shoes, grabbed her room key and checked out of the hotel. She made her way home, she checked on Logan and went to sleep.

Notes:

So Lena got laid! Just not by Kara, oops. Don't be mad, it'll be fine, eventually.

Chapter 4: I See Red

 

“You’re off today,” Alex noted as she and Kara made their way to school for the blonde to take Dean an important art project he’d forgotten at home because he’d been running late.

“No, I'm not, I’m fine,” Kara replied, her fingers drumming as she glanced at her phone. “Thanks for the ride by the way.”

“No problem, it was on my way. And yeah you are off, what’s going on? You keep checking your phone and I’m getting this excited slash nervous energy about you. It’s super weird,” she said as she sipped on an extra large cup of an energy drink. “Are you pregnant or something?” Alex teased.

“What? No, I’m not excited, or nervous, everything’s fine,” Kara replied, eyes fixed on the road. 

“Is it cuz of your article? Cuz of the backlash?” Alex dug further. “Cuz for some insane reason you decided to write a puff piece on Lena Luthor. You don’t have to kiss her ass so Dean can have a shot at things at the school, you know.”

“What?” Kara turned to her this time. “No, that’s not it. Cat didn't love the article in the first place, but now she kind of likes the attention it’s getting. All publicity is good publicity kind of thing. And it wasn’t a puff piece, everything in it was true. People deserve to see Lena as more than an extension of her family. She’s accomplished a lot.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “Yeah, millions in a trust fund will help anyone accomplish things.”

“And it had nothing to do with Dean,” the blonde added. 

“I still don’t get it.” 

“Alex, did you even read the article?” The blonde asked, exasperated. “She lost everything after my first article came out. She hasn’t had it as easy as you think.”

Alex was quiet. “Well, you didn’t owe her anything. You were doing your job.” She sipped more of her drink. 

Kara wasn’t so sure that it was that simple. 

“And you haven’t had it easy either,” her sister said, “And you still manage to be a pretty good person.”

Kara didn’t reply. Alex might be a good detective, but her skills were failing her with Lena. Her sister couldn’t see all the good in the Luthor. And Kara’s reporter skills were failing her too because she couldn’t put her finger on why her sister had it out for Lena so badly. 

They reached the school, and Alex parked at the school parking lot.

Kara grabbed the project from the backseat and got out of the car. “I won’t take long.”

“I’ll be waiting. But you better be back before I finish this,” her sister held her large drink up. 

“It's a whole liter, and it’s 8 a.m. Why are you even drinking that?” Kara said through the window before walking off. Alex just shrugged. 

Kara made her way inside the school and to the administrative office to drop off her son's project. She was glad to get out of the car because Alex, on this occasion, was right about one tiny thing; Kara most certainly had excited and nervous energy. 

The former because she could hardly keep inside her elation from the night before. From kissing Lena. Dear God, she’d actually kissed her. And Lena had kissed back, over and over. And Kara could hardly believe it. It had surpassed her imagination and it proved that she wasn’t completely off in thinking maybe Lena had been feeling similar to Kara this whole time, that the chemistry she’d felt all along had been real. All Kara wanted was to kiss her again, to hear her soft moans, to hear her louder moans actually, preferably getting louder because of Kara. She hadn’t felt this way about anyone in a very long time and the idea of it being mutual was euphoric. She had clocked Lena’s hard exterior (but soft interior) from day one, and Kara was dying to pry that shell open and show Lena all the love the blonde had to give. Sue her for being excited that the gorgeous and smart woman she’d been having a crush on had kissed her back. Of course she was bubbling over with excited energy. 

The nervous energy, well that was due to the small but important bit where their kiss ended, when Lena had pulled back and said it had been a mistake. Kara’s heart had sunk. There was absolutely no way that anything about it had felt wrong, it definitely hadn’t felt like a mistake to Kara. How could a kiss as wonderful as that have been a mistake? And Lena was forgetting that she had kissed back, ardently. Maybe the blonde had taken her by surprise with the kiss, maybe Lena hadn’t caught on to all the flirting, to how attracted Kara was to her until that moment and she’d perhaps felt a little overwhelmed, but a mistake? That was the last thing Kara would call it. It hurt to even consider that Lena wouldn’t want her. But Kara was convinced Lena was just scared. After all, she and Kara had history, it was complicated. But Kara didn’t care about any of it. Regardless of how Kara felt, she had to talk to Lena and figure out how the woman actually felt and how to move forward. And Kara would have to respect Lena’s decision. But gosh, the blonde really hoped Lena would choose her. If only Lena would answer her texts so they could both handle this like adults. She kept glancing at her phone, hoping the brunette would answer the texts she’d sent that morning. 

Kara: Thank you for the potstickers last night [6:35 a.m.]

Kara: And donuts [6:35 a.m.]

Kara: How’s your hand? [6:37 a.m.]

Kara: The cut okay? [6:39 a.m.]

Talk about her nervous energy coming through. 

The longer Lena took to respond, the more disheartened Kara got. Her mind was spinning with joy and disappointment. How could she explain all that to Alex, who thought Lena was the devil incarnate? 

Kara dropped the project at the office and began walking out. She decided to text again right now.

Kara: Can we talk about last night? [8:15 a.m.]

Just after she hit send, she ran into someone. 

“Oh, jeez, sorry ma’am,” the man said. He was wearing sweatpants from head to toe and a hat. He looked like a stereotypical gym teacher.

“I’m sorry, that was my fault, texting and walking, super dangerous,” she replied, to which he chuckled.

“I’m guilty of doing the same, so no judgment.”

“Hey, are you the gym teacher?” She asked.

“Yeah, I am, I teach middle schoolers and high schoolers. Is it that obvious?” He joked pointing at his outfit.

Kara smiled, “not at all, I just have a sixth sense about gym teachers.”

He smiled. “You a mom or new teacher?”

“A mom.”

“So who’s your kid?”

“Dean Danvers.”

“Oh, he’s a great kid. One of the best in the team. He might carry us through to the winning circle this season.”

Kara frowned at the answer. Something was very fishy. “Yeah, he loves basketball. Funny you should mention that. You’re saying he’s one of the best but you’d originally benched him. How come?” she asked, keeping her tone as non-confrontational as possible. 

His face fell. “Oh, that… that was…”

“It’s okay, you can tell me.” 

He sighed and looked to the ground. 

“Did it have anything to do with Lena Luthor?” she asked reluctantly. God, she hoped not.

He looked up, “yes, well, no. I mean, I thought so at first but not really.”

She frowned again, confused. “Could you explain it to me?” 

“Um, I hope Miss Luthor doesn’t mind me saying this,” he said as he took a deep breath. 

Kara braced for an answer she didn’t want to hear and he began explaining.

“Some moms from the PTA pressured me to put their kids on the team and get yours off.”

Oh . “What? Why?”

“They just want their kids to have something to do that keeps them out of the house longer, I guess. Or they want sports on a college application. And my best guess about why they targeted your son is cuz he’s new and really good so they got jealous.”

“And Lena knew about that?”

“Oh, well they made it seem like she had, and like I had no choice. Lena’s in the hiring and firing committee and in a lot of other committees. She has a lot of power ‘round here you know, so whenever they throw her name around people get scared. I was scared. But then Miss Luthor showed up furious a while ago and asked me why the hell I'd benched the good players and put the terrible ones on the team. So I told her. She demanded I fix it. So I did.”

“So Lena had no idea about the other moms using her name to scare you?”

“She seemed really surprised when I said it, and angry. Then she told me if they ever tried something like that again I should tell her or report them. And not gonna lie, that felt good to hear. I feel pretty empowered.” He put his hands on his hips in a superwoman pose. 

Kara smirked at the words and the pose. “So she got Dean off the bench and on the team?”

“Where he deserves to be. I’m sorry I benched him before. Miss Luthor said I shouldn't do things like that again just because the moms said so. She kind of inspired me to do the right thing, so I'm not taking any more crap from the moms,” he said as he stood tall, “The other moms can't scare me anymore. Miss Luthor still kind of terrifies me, but not so much as before.” 

Kara couldn’t help but smile. “That’s okay. And Lena’s right, you shouldn’t let other moms pressure you into doing the wrong thing. I’m glad you’re back on the right track.”

“Thanks. Me too. I hated the other thing. I actually wanted a winning team and we have a real chance this year with Dean.”

Kara grinned. The coach was clearly a sensitive man. But more importantly, Lena hadn’t been to blame for Dean’s issue. She’d actually helped him, and she’d done so secretly, with no selfish intentions and without taking any credit. If only Alex knew. Well, she would now. Kara was about to tell her how wrong she’d been about the brunette.

“Thanks Coach, I appreciate the honesty. I gotta go. It was nice meeting you,” she said as she walked down the hall and left him there. 

“Thanks for understanding. Oh, are you coming to the game this week?” He called out from the hall.

“I wouldn't miss it,” Kara hollered from afar as she made her way out. Alex was already calling her to hurry up.

Kara got in the car with a huge grin. “Guess what I just found out?”

“That I was still waiting for you while you took forever?” 

“That you were wrong.”

“Impossible,” Alex joked, “about what?”

“Dean wasn’t benched because of Lena. Actually, he got on the team because of her.”

“How did you gather that?”

“The coach just told me.”

“And you trust that Lena didn’t hand him that script?”

“Alex!” Kara shoved her sister a little. “You are impossible to convince. She got him on the team, I should be thanking her.” Several ideas of how to thank Lena popped into Kara’s mind. None of which she could share with Alex, or anyone else. Most of which involved very little clothing. 

“The devil works in mysterious ways.”

“Lena is not the devil. And that’s not how the phrase goes,” Kara pushed.

“There’s gotta be some secret motive,” Alex insisted.

Kara sighed. “Lena is actually-“

“A total dick,”

“What? No!”

“I literally don’t get you. I was there in the bake sale when she was furious with you, and made a whole scene in front of everyone. And I was also there when she told you not to fuck up the next bake sale and when she criticised you for driving a car that’s not up to her standards or whatever,” Alex recalled. “I've never seen her be nice to you, not once. Or to anyone.”

“No, Lena was…” soft when Kara touched her, all gentle moans and hot breaths, “just making sure I’m not a bad influence on the other moms.”

“Kara, this is you we’re talking about, you could never be a bad influence. At least not morally. You could use some work in like the cleaning and cooking departments, and general organization, but not any of the stuff that actually matters. But Lena cares more about appearances and perfectionism than real living human beings.” 

“Alex, if I laid out a book of reasons why Lena wasn’t what you thought, with research and sources and all, you still wouldn’t believe me would you?”

“It would be a really short book.”

Kara sighed. It was no use. “You’re still wrong about her.”

“I'll believe that when I actually see it with my own two eyes. So far, the evidence is stacked against her.”

Kara sighed again and then checked her phone. Still no answer from Lena.

Kara: Can we please talk? [8:37 a.m.]

---

 

Lena slid by the people at the bleachers to find a spot the next Tuesday afternoon. She didn’t even have to excuse herself as she walked because the parents moved to allow her to pass before she’d spoken a word. She sat down at a high spot and adjusted her black pencil skirt, and white blouse.

The first basketball game of the season was soon to start and she watched the school team prepping. As promised, she’d come to see her son. Logan looked around and she knew he was searching for her. He smiled wide when he found her and so did she as she waved back. 

She noticed that Dean was also on the team of course, which meant that Kara was probably here, cheering her son on. They hadn’t spoken since… the mistake Lena made, and the honeytrap Kara had set. The sweet, delicious trap- NO. Lena shut down her thoughts and pressed her legs together. She’d gone to sleep wet and woken up wet (because of Roulette and most certainly not Kara), and it was driving her mad, so she didn’t need more distracting thoughts like that right now.

Lena’s heart began racing as she looked around in the most subtle way she could, hoping the blonde wasn’t there. After a breathless minute looking to her sides and coming up empty, Lena began checking the opposite side of the court, where the other school’s team sat. 

Her eyes scanned the crowd and then landed on a familiar pair of eyes.

Andrea.

The brunette waved and smiled arrogantly, as she always did. She was sitting there with her husband and young daughter. 

Lena blinked twice before waving back. She’d been so preoccupied that she hadn’t noticed who the opposing team was. If she had, she would have known that it was the same school Andrea’s son went to (he was also on his school basketball team), though he was a year older than Logan. 

She hadn’t seen Andrea in a while, but they moved in the same circles so Lena ran into her every now and then at a company function or a sports match, much like this one. Her daughter also rode horseback. Thankfully, a few minutes in difference of schedule meant a decent while could pass without her seeing Andrea at all. Seeing the brunette wasn’t the worst thing, but Lena could hardly call it a pleasure. 

Lena had allowed much more than she should have from Andrea when they’d been a couple. She’d allowed the woman to treat her much like her family had, like she wasn’t worth loving. Until Lena had finally learned her worth and her boundaries. She had had to fight tooth and nail to crawl out of that relationship in one piece way back when. These days, Lena could only tolerate Andrea in small doses, too much and it was toxic. So Lena was always cordial and professional when they ran into each other. And Andrea was always… herself, which was a lot.  

But today, Lena didn’t care about Andrea. Especially not when she finally caught sight of beautiful blonde hair a few bleachers down. 

Kara didn’t look around in search of her, and Lena spent more than half the game wondering if she would. Then when there were about 10 minutes left, the blonde finally turned around and in seconds, her eyes found Lena’s. 

And just like that Lena couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow, couldn’t think. She had to leave. She stood abruptly and began exiting the court. She ran out the door while everyone was entranced by the game, but she heard it open again behind her.

“Lena, wait,” Kara called out. 

Lena kept walking faster. She pushed the door to the first classroom she found but the blonde followed her in.

“Lena please, I just want to talk,” the blonde said.

Lena’s back was towards Kara. “We have nothing to talk about.”

“Well, we have one thing to talk about.”

Lena turned around. She swallowed thickly but said nothing. In the background she could hear the sound of baskets being scored and loud cheering, but within seconds, the sounds were drowned out by Lena’s thumping heartbeat, and then Kara’s voice. 

“Was it that bad?” The blonde asked.

Lena frowned in confusion.

“Our kiss, was it so terrible that you can’t look at me?” The blonde spoke.

Terrible? God, no . It had been the best kiss Lena had ever had. But Lena couldn’t say that. She barely shook her head no.

“Because I can’t stop thinking about it,” Kara said as she looked at her. Lena could see her chest rising faster. “I can’t stop thinking about doing it again and…,” she took a shallow breath, “about doing other things I probably shouldn’t say, but if you don’t feel the same way, then please tell me and I will make myself stop thinking about those things, and I will forget it ever happened and never bring it up again.”

What other things? she wanted to ask, but instead said “What happened between us was a mistake,” with her breath running out, “you and I could never… ever…”

Lena was watching the blonde as she spoke. Kara instantly began nodding to Lena’s words, completely agreeing like she understood, like she’d do exactly what Lena asked even if she hated it.

Then, Lena felt something come over her body, a complete disconnect from the rational part of her brain that lunged her forward into Kara’s arms and lips, pushing her against the wall from the force of her body. 

Kara was quick to react. She grabbed Lena from her waist and kissed her fervently. This wasn’t like the first time, it was rough and hurried and desperate, but it was exactly what Lena needed to satiate her unfulfilled needs. Kara’s hands moved everywhere and Lena’s tongue took a leap into the blonde’s mouth to taste what she hadn’t gotten to the first time.

Kara leveraged her body and turned Lena around, pushing her hard against the wall, to which Lena moaned without thought. Her body betrayed her. Lena didn’t want to think, she didn’t even want to open her eyes to see the blonde, she just needed the feel, the pleasure. 

And Kara was so confident in her touch, so forward and sure that it excited Lena beyond measure. What was worse was that Lena wanted even more than she was getting. The blonde pinned Lena’s hands up against the wall and Lena might or might not have moaned pornographically loud. She then attempted to raise a leg and Kara quickly took the hint, bending slightly and then picking Lena up from her hips and carrying her to the nearest desk. 

Strong . Kara was so fucking strong, and it was all Lena could think. She sucked on the blonde’s tongue and got a delicious loud moan from her. If Lena’s animal instinct was on drive before, it was on overdrive now. She grabbed Kara’s hand and led it beyond the skirt she was wearing and between her legs just as another score was heard in the background. The blonde pushed Lena’s skirt up and without hesitation, moved her underwear aside. She was just as desperate as Lena and oh, gosh, they were actually about to do this on a teacher’s desk at her son’s school, and Lena could not have given any less fucks. 

Lena interlocked her fingers with Kara’s and as the blonde slid inside her with ease, Lena helped Kara fuck her. Kara’s face dug into her neck and Lena kept her eyes closed. She couldn’t see Kara, but she could feel her perfect fingers pushing in and out of her wet cunt. She could smell the blonde’s perfume and the smell of her hair, lavender, now mixing in with the strong scent of her own arousal. 

She was so close already. Just a couple more minutes and she knew she’d come hard. Lena gripped Kara’s neck with uncontrolled force which only egged the blonde on. Kara kissed her neck and bit her softly, and fuck, Lena was just about to reach her peak, her walls had begun fluttering around Kara’s fingers when the thundering sound of the game followed by the loud buzzer signaling the game ending interrupted them. 

Lena hadn’t wanted to stop. She’d practically been mid orgasm, but the noise of the buzzer had shaken her awake. Without preamble, Lena’s hand, the one that had been leading Kara’s fingers inside her, pulled away from between her legs, taking Kara’s fingers out of her. She’d involuntarily whimpered at the loss but moved on quickly. She rapidly and abruptly shoved Kara away from her and sat up, her legs nearly failing her, but she managed to stand half straight and fix her skirt and adjust her drenched underwear. 

Lena was flustered, out of breath. “The game’s over, we should go before anyone-” Not only had her orgasm been cut right at the start but as if the universe aligned for the near worst possible timing, Andrea barged into the room. 

“Lena, hey, I came looking for you, the game’s over and your son’s wondering where you are to celebrate. You guys won.”

Kara’s breathing was as erratic as Lena’s. The blonde instantly put her hand, her very wet hand, behind her back so Andrea couldn’t see it. 

Andrea raised a brow. “Did I interrupt something?” 

If she’d shown up seconds sooner she most certainly would have. 

Kara opened her mouth to speak, “Actually-” 

“No,” Lena swiftly jumped in, “not at all.” 

“Alright,” Andrea said, taking Lena for her word. Her eyes turned to Kara with curiosity. “I’m Andrea Rojas by the way, owner of Obsidian North, as you probably already know.”

Kara cleared her throat. “I do, pleasure Miss Rojas,” she said from afar, her hand still behind her. 

“Oh, it’s Mrs. but still Rojas. My husband took my name, naturally,” she said, flipping her hair back.

Lena scoffed. “Humble as always.” She did her best not to look at Kara, not to notice the hand she was holding behind her back and how the blonde was rubbing her fingers with each other, feeling Lena’s cum. Fuck . It made her clench hard. 

“I'm confident, and it used to be one of the things you liked about me,” Andrea said coyly, cutting Lena off from her thoughts. 

Lena felt her breath stop at the words. Kara could not find out about her and Andrea. Not like this. 

“You look familiar,” Andrea turned to Kara. 

This was all going downhill too fast and there was nothing Lena could do about it. Her mind was running in every direction. 

“I'm Kara Danvers, reporter at CatCo. Worldwide Media,” the blonde spoke, a little out of breath still. Her face still had a clear blush. 

“Of course you are.. you’re… wait a second, oh my god, you’re THAT reporter. What are you doing here trapped with Lena? Is she threatening you cuz she’s still not over that article a decade ago? Because if she is, trust me she doesn’t mean it, she rarely acts out on her anger, except in extreme circumstances.”

“Andrea!” Lena exclaimed. 

“What? I'm trying to help you. You don't want her publishing that you threatened her.”

“I was not threatening her,” Lena corrected. 

“Then what were you two doing?” Andrea said.

Well, Kara was doing… her . Lena was…

“Wait a minute. You’re blushing,” Andrea noted about Lena, and then turned to Kara. “And you’re blushing too. I thought it was anger but… it smells like sex in here!” She practically screamed. “Holy shit, you are sleeping with the enemy,” the brunette snickered, clearly amused. 

Lena sighed. “Andrea this is none of your-“

“You sly dog!” Andrea let out with a loud laugh. “And you never let me have sex with you in public places no matter how much I begged.”

Kara’s face snapped to Lena’s. 

Lena closed her eyes in frustration. So much for Kara not finding out. Lena opened her eyes and looked slowly at the blonde. Kara was clearly shocked, but there was also something else. Could it be… jealousy?

Andrea kept speaking, oblivious or simply not caring. “I know you weren’t out yet then, but after I outed you, you still wouldn’t do it. You’d blame it on your OCD, cuz nothing was ever clean enough for you.”

Lena took a heavy and irritated breath in, clenched her jaw. Only Andrea could casually mention she’d outed Lena as if it were nothing. She didn’t know what was worse, that Andrea had outed her or that Lena had actually stayed with her for a while after. 

Kara looked at Lena again, like she was horrified for her, and then concerned.

“Alright, well, from the looks of it, you came, so good for you,” Andrea went on, “glad you’re letting loose. But we do have to get going, I left my family back there.”

Andrea went on to grab them both by the arm to lead them out. Lena and Kara’s discomfort was more than evident, but the woman ignored it for her own amusement. “No wonder you had that hand behind your back,” she said to Kara with a wink. “Want me to lick those fingers for you? Or did you use your mouth?” 

“Andrea, for fuck’s sake!” Lena hollered at her, completely outraged.

“I’m kidding!” Andrea replied, still very much enjoying the whole ordeal. “Lena and I don’t do that anymore,” she said to Kara. “I mean technically, we only ever had a threesome once, and it was with a friend from uni who’s now a prostitute. Speaking of, have you seen Victoria, or does she still go by Roulette?” she said as she dragged Kara and Lena through the hall and back into the gym where the roar of so many people celebrating hit them in a deafening wave. 

Kara hadn’t said a word the whole time Andrea had bombarded her with new information, and her face was as red as Lena had ever seen it. She couldn’t tell exactly what Kara was thinking. Lena herself was mortified. 

Andrea didn’t wait for Lena to answer her question. “It was really so nice to meet you, Kara. And I always say that to people, but this time I mean it,” she said, grinning as she handed Kara a napkin from her bag and whispered “for you to… clean up,” with a wink. “Lena, don’t be a stranger. If you’d gotten fun you should’ve called.” With an unsolicited goodbye kiss on the cheek, Andrea turned and left, catching up with her husband and kids barely a few feet away whom she kissed and greeted as if it were a regular Tuesday. 

Kara and Lena were left staring at each other in the crowd. Kara stood there, hoping Lena would say something, anything. Lena wanted to, she really wanted to, but she couldn’t with all these people around. What would they think?

The silence felt eternal. Kara opened her mouth. “So you and…” the words died in her mouth. “Did I… your OCD?” The blonde made no sense to Lena. 

Lena shook her head, but no words were coming out. She hadn’t wanted to talk before but now she felt like there was so much to explain. She wanted to completely eradicate any worries on Kara’s mind. She wanted to tell her that she didn’t care about Andrea at all. She wanted to tell Kara that her OCD never even surfaced when they were together. But every word was stuck in Lena’s throat. 

Kara opened her mouth again before closing it. Lena looked at the blonde who seemed confused, and a little distraught. And still, Lena said nothing. 

Kara sighed disappointedly, and began to turn away. 

Lena called out “Kar-”

“Mom! Did you see Dean score the winning basket with my pass?” Logan interrupted her with an abrupt hug. She hadn’t even seen him coming. 

Her attention was immediately turned to her son. “Of course, you played incredibly,” she put on a smile. 

“I didn’t see you when we won.”

“I had to use the bathroom, I saw you score and ran out,” she lied as she looked up from Logan and searched for Kara in the crowd. 

She watched the blonde reach her son and hug him tightly, congratulating him. And then catch up with her sister and sister-in-law, then leave the gym with other parts of the crowd. Kara didn’t look back, and Lena didn’t hear a word Logan said the whole way home. 

---

 

“Ugh! Get in!” Alex complained as she kicked a box of wine on the floor to try and slide it inside Kara’s house that night. She was carrying another box in her hands which had plastic cups and plates on top. 

“I’ll get it,” Kara said as she grabbed the box. “Did the wine do something to you?”

“Yeah, it wouldn’t freaking get in.”

“Okay, my turn to ask, what’s going on? You’ve been especially moody these days.”

“No, I’ve been fine,” her sister said as they both made their way to the kitchen. 

Kara raised a brow. “No you haven’t.”

“Oh, so when I say you’re fine then you’re fine, but when I say I’m fine, I’m not?” Alex put the box down on the counter with all the other things. 

“Yep.”

Alex said nothing and Kara turned to Kelly who was on the kitchen table working on a poster that read Kara Danvers 4 PTA President . 

“Do not turn to Kelly, not fair!” Alex called out. 

“She’s actually honest with me,” Kara stated. “You, on the other hand, like to keep everything bottled up.”

“I thought you told her already,” Kelly said softly. 

“Told me what?” Kara asked. 

Alex sighed. “Esme isn’t doing so well in school and she’s on probation.”

“What?” Kara exclaimed as she nearly tripped over a wine box. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? Probation? When did this start?”

Alex sighed again. “A couple months ago. It’s not that new, she’s acted out a little in some classes throughout the years but we could always handle it. This year it’s just been… hard. And I didn’t want to worry you cuz you had the new school to worry about and the divorce and just a lot going on.”

“Alex, she’s my niece and you’re my sister, you should worry me, I love you guys.”

“I know you love us Kara, it’s just that…”

“She thinks she has to deal with it all alone,” Kelly jumped in. “Even though I’m here too.”

Alex sighed for the third time. “I know you’re here. It’s just hard for both of us and you’re stressed and I’m stressed, it makes no sense to tell you that I’m stressed because we both know it.”

“Have you talked to her, see what’s triggering her?” Kara asked as she and Alex walked back out to the car for the remaining wine boxes. 

“Kara, Kelly is a psychiatrist, we have tried everything, trust me. But adopting a kid is no walk in the park. She has a lot of trauma from when she was younger and just because we adopted her that doesn’t go away. And we think it’s all coming out right now because of different reasons.”

“Isn’t there a counselor that can help? What are you going to do?

“The counselor is new and he has no clue how to deal with Esme when a problem happens in class. We’re dealing with it the best way we can. We’re basically trying to hang in there until the rest of the year, but we don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ve already talked about changing schools even though we don’t really want to. But the school is just not helping or cutting us any slack. ”

Something then clicked in Kara’s mind. “And you think it’s Lena’s fault that the school is being inconsiderate?” she asked as she stopped in her spot before entering the house again. 

“I mean maybe not directly, but indirectly, for sure,” Alex let out. 

Kara frowned. “Is that why you’ve been upset with her since the beginning?” 

“What? No, I just don’t trust the Luthors, that’s all.”

Kara wasn’t convinced. She hadn’t realized the stress Alex had been under, and even if her sister didn’t completely recognize it, she most certainly had some kind of undeserved grudge against Lena. 

“I could talk to her-”

“No! Absolutely not Kara!” Alex cut in. “Do not bring up my daughter to that woman. God knows what she’ll do. She’ll either have her kicked out for the heck of it or fix it and hold it over our heads for the rest of our lives.”

“I think Kelly would agree with me,” Kara said. 

“Yeah, well, I don’t. So please don’t tell Lena anything.”

Kara sighed but nodded as they went back inside. 

They were all quiet for a while as the blonde looked around to the preparations. 

“Listen, Alex, on another subject, I need to talk to you about this whole campaign thing, okay. I don’t think I want to run anymore.”

“I know we don’t have a mansion like Lena’s and your house is, well, it’s… passable, but people always come when there’s shitty wine,” Alex said, her mood already changing as she was happy to talk about something else. 

“Hey! What do you mean passable? My house is fine,” Kara said, her mind distracted momentarily by Alex’s comment. 

“Um, sure, yeah, it’s fine,” Alex repeated half-heartedly. 

“When is Lena having her party?” Kara asked. 

“Um,” Alex hesitated, she turned around to see Kelly was not around and then avoided looking at Kara, “I don’t know, next week maybe,” she fibbed. 

“Alex, listen to me,” Kara tried again. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to run against Lena. When I said that I was convinced by your speech but the more I think of it, the more I realize that this is insane. How could I possibly beat her?” Kara wasn’t actually concerned with defeating Lena, but she wasn’t comfortable sharing with Alex the real reason she wanted to drop out.

Alex pursed her lip at Kara then loosened it up. “Kara, you already paid for all this. And like I said, shitty wine” she said, passing her another box. 

“I did?” asked Kara, bewildered by the confession that Alex had bought all the alcohol with her credit card. 

Alex shrugged and grimaced.

“Shitty wine is not going to win us this and I don’t actually want to fight with Lena,” Kara admitted.

“Look Kara, I know you think you’re way in over your head,” began Alex.

“Because I am,” interrupted Kara.

“But the truth is,” continued Alex, “the school needs a change. You don’t know this but Kelly and I have to wake up at 4 a.m. every day to make breakfast for everyone, to get the kids ready and run to school on time, which is actually way earlier than every other school,” she said as she slid some boxes into Kara’s house with her foot, “I have to go to constant school meetings - very long school meetings - beg my boss for some hours off, apologize for skipping work and then make up for that later. I’ve missed some really important things for school events that weren’t worth it. If they were, if I thought that any of that extra time and effort was worth it, I wouldn’t be saying this.”

Kara opened her mouth to speak.

“I’m not done,” Alex carried on, “I have to participate in school events that I want nothing to do with and that don’t involve my kids, and when they do involve the kids, they aren’t even optional. And sometimes I need a break. Hell, the kids need one too.” She put down the box of wine she was carrying and turned to Kara. “The point is, being a mom is hard, and Lena freaking Luthor makes it 10 times harder. So trust me when I tell you that now that someone finally got the nerve to run against her for PTA president, someone that isn’t terrified of her or isn’t easily intimidated, everyone is going to vote for you not just cuz of the shitty wine but because you are a good person, you’re a mom that balances work and home life and you’re still a good mom. Even though your cooking is shit.”

Kara opened her mouth to protest but Alex raised her hand to stop her. 

“But ultimately, you have a lot more empathy for every mom at that school than Lena Luthor ever will. And we can win this Kara. You can do it. With the help of several boxes of alcohol,” she added in the end with a small smile. 

“Lena’s not that bad. She’s done amazing things for the school,” Kara said.

“Yeah, okay, fine, she has. I know some moms like that, but it’s time someone else took charge.”

Kara paused and considered it. She resented the way Alex spoke of Lena, but there was some truth to those words and she knew it. Being a mom was difficult, and one should be making it harder. 

“She’s not a psychopath,” Kara spoke at last. 

“Who?” asked Alex. 

“Lena, you keep talking about her like she’s a psychopath. She’s just had a difficult childhood,” Kara explains. 

“Well she’s got some tendencies, Kelly told me,” Alex said as she returned to carrying the boxes. 

Kara turned to Kelly who was back in the living room, helping out quietly. Kelly shook her head to let Kara know that Alex was exaggerating and she had never said that. Kara gave Alex a stare.

“You gotta be in all the way Kara,” Alex added. “It’s too late to back away now anyway, we can’t send this back and I’ve already sent the message to a few moms.”

“What?” Kara exclaimed, caught off guard. “You didn’t tell me that. I was going to…” tell Lena. “I told you not to.”  

Kara wasn’t sure this would play out well. The last thing she wanted was for Lena to misinterpret everything. She’d been so wrapped up in other thoughts regarding Lena that she had completely forgotten to tell her about this silly campaign run. 

“Well, I thought we agreed I’d handle everything,” she answered. “You were going to what?” asked Alex. 

“Nothing, I just wanted to give Lena a heads up,” said Kara. 

“What? Again with that? She’ll only use that against us”, fought Alex.

“We talked about this, you promised,” Kara said. 

“I’m sorry, I forgot that I promised. But Kara, the party is literally tomorrow, I had to tell people. Please tell me you’re in,” she begged. 

“Do you really think this is a good idea?” Kara asked Kelly.

“I think that making things better and easier for moms is always a good idea. I’m not sure Lena will feel the same way after being challenged in a position she’s held for a long time, but change is inevitable and if you talk to her like you say you wish to then she might understand it and in time come to accept it,” Kelly answered. 

Kara smiled, Kelly’s words comforted her, her soft voice always did the trick too. 

“Thank you, I think I’ll call her now even if it’s late,” Kara said. She pulled her phone out from her back pocket and as she was about to call Lena when she got a call from Nia, whom she put on speaker.

“You’re having a party and didn’t invite me?” Nia asked in an offended tone. 

“Um, it’s not a party, it’s a campaign party and I’m still skeptical about it. It’ll just be some moms, music and wine, nothing big, and it’s not until tomorrow,” Kara explained. “And how did you know?”

“Alex texted. And campaign party? As in PTA campaign party, as in running against Lena the Ice Queen Luthor party?” Nia asked in disbelief. 

“Yes,” Kara answered reluctantly, “and can everyone please stop calling her that.”

“I second Kara’s motion,” Kelly said.

“Okay then,” Nia says. “You are wild and I’m here for it. But you can’t have a regular party. You know Lena’s gonna throw a fucking rager, not literally of course but she’ll probably have Nigella there to cook the food and a string quartet or something, so we’re going to have to step up your game,” she stated. 

“It’s okay, really,” Kara tried to tone it down. 

“I’m on my way,” Nia added and hung up before Kara had a chance to answer. 

“Nia?” asked Alex as she barely caught the call, entering the kitchen with more boxes of alcohol from her car. 

“Yeah, she’s coming over,” said Kara. 

“Great! She’ll help out,” Alex said in gratitude and excitement. “Meanwhile, you help me out with the rest of the drinks and sodas, I left them in the driveway,” she told Kara. 

“But seriously, don’t tell anyone else,” Kara told Alex as she put her phone to charge and headed out to the driveway.

“It’ll be fine!” Alex hollered from the kitchen.. 

Kelly turned to Alex when they were alone in the living room, “are you going to tell her that you already sent the invite to the party to everyone and not just some people?” 

“The party was tomorrow, I had to. And I’ll tell her,” said Alex, “or maybe I won’t,” she added quietly, and walked out to help Kara. 

On her way out, Alex noticed the large frame she recognized so well placed on the hallway floor. She’d walked past it repeatedly but hadn’t stopped to see. It was one of the first things she, Kelly, and Nia had hung in Kara’s house. It was even her who had sent the article to be enlarged and framed along with Kara’s pulitzer. 

The nail on the wall was gone. She figured it had gotten loose and Kara wanted to make a new hole. She could do that later. For now, she looked around and found the old nail in a kitchen drawer. The hole on the wall was there so Alex pushed the nail in and trusted it would hold. She lifted the frame. She didn’t notice anything different about it. She hung it before going out to help Kara with the drinks.  

 

---

“Thank you Martha, these are delicious as always,” stated Lena as she took a bite of the carefully baked desserts from the cook of the evening, Martha Stewart. It was officially her campaign night. Had it not been for the campaign night, Lena would have spent the past 2 days completely absorbed in what had happened with Kara at the game. 

“The party is grrreattt,” jumped in Jess with a phony smile. 

“It’s dead and you know it,” responded Lena drily. “Where the hell is everyone?” she asked as she looked around at her nearly empty mansion. Her buffet was packed with food practically untouched, and a choir in the corner was playing music for a few people only. The one time a year she actually threw a party in her house and hardly anyone bothered to show up. 

“Maybe the moms decided not to come to your campaign party. It is a school night and you’re obviously going to win,” Jess incredulously tried to comfort Lena. 

“No, something is up,” Lena stated, her jaw tight as she searched for clues on the mom chats on her phone. This was not the great campaign night she had envisioned. 

Then, she heard a few simultaneous rings from other phones at her party and looked up to find the rest of the moms silently walking out, even Martha Stewart seemed to be missing from moments ago. 

“What the absolute fuck,” Lena cursed, irritated. “Where’s Sam?” she asked in exasperation. 

“I’ve got some news,” said Sam as she popped up behind them. “You’re not gonna like it,” she added.

“What is it?” Lena asked, ready for the blow to be delivered. 

“Kara Danvers is throwing her own campaign party at her house tonight, right now,” Sam explained in disbelief as she turned her phone to show a selfie of Kara, Alex and Kelly at her house, with a caption that read, ‘come to Kara’s bitches! We have shitty wine’. 

Lena stared at the photo. She couldn’t believe her eyes at first. It took several seconds to process it all, but it was right there. 

At last, the evidence of Kara’s real intentions. 

It had all been a lie. All Kara’s words and seemingly good deeds; all empty, carefully crafted lies. Her smile, her kindness, their kiss, the sex. It had all been a bait and switch, to distract Lena and steal the PTA presidency right from under her nose. 

Lena could see nothing but red. 

‘Go big or go home ’ Kara had said in that bake sale, and she’d meant it.

“Let’s go,” Lena said as she headed for the door and Sam and Jess followed by her side.

---

“This party is raging!” exclaimed Kara in astonishment. 

“What a turn out,” said Alex in excitement. 

“Hey, would you ladies like a Jello shot?” said Martha Stewart, appearing right before them as she offered a tray of jello bits.

“Is that…?” Kara was left speechless. 

Alex and Kelly stared open-mouthed at Martha Stewart. Alex nodded repeatedly as she took a jello shot from the tray. 

“...Martha Stewart,” finished Kelly as they politely took jello shots as well and ate them.

“Oh my God!” said Alex with a moan of pleasure at the treat. 

Kara and Kelly nodded in agreement, “what’s in this?” asked Kelly. 

“Well, it’s bespoke lingonberry gelatin,” began Martha, “and a shit load of vodka,” she finished her sentence. 

Alex let out a snort-laugh. “They’re delicious,” she complimented. 

“I start my day with 6 of these,” said Martha Stewart. 

Kara, Alex and Kelly all burst into laughter.

---

Lena approached Kara’s driveway with Sam and Jess. The street was altogether packed with cars and moms were coming from all sides, headed into Kara’s house, where the music was blasting.

“Damn, this party looks awesome,” said Jess, earning a scolding look from Lena and a punitive head shake from Sam. 

Lena parked the car and stepped out. She began approaching the entrance, looking for Kara where a mom was already face down, passed out on the front lawn of the house. 

Lena, Sam and Jess stepped inside and found mothers dancing, twerking, and one breakdancing in the living room. Other moms were kissing in the corner. Some gay dads were partying too.

“I’m gonna grab some wine,” Jess said casually and in a near whisper hoping Lena wouldn’t hear as she disappeared into the crowd.

“Me too,” said Sam, sighing, having given up on the night, “it’s been a long week, and our party’s gone to shit, might as well enjoy this one,” she said. “Want a glass, or a bottle?” she asked.

Lena shook her head. She was too livid for words.

“Call me if you need anything,” Sam told Lena. 

Lena didn’t even react before Sam disappeared into the kitchen with Jess. 

Lena walked further in. In the kitchen there were moms stuffing their mouths with cheese from tubes and drinking directly from wine bottles. By the stairs some moms were smoking a joint and laughing. This was the opposite of the Luthor-type party. It was complete recklessness. 

But that wasn’t what infuriated her. Right there in the hallway, two large frames hung up, parading in front of everyone; the article and Kara’s Pulitzer were both hanging there, taunting her. ‘ Been meaning to put them down’, her ass! Lena was sure some moms had read it, if not all. She was sure someone had snatched a picture of it by now and sent it to a group she was not in, and they’d have a hoot talking about it behind her back. 

She stood there in the crowd, the music blasting and yet she could hear nothing. Her vision suddenly got blurry, her body began to sweat, she was a little lightheaded. She started to feel like the article had just come out, like she was at that trial all over again, her family just convicted, her life and her work turned to ash. 

As she looked around, she finally laid her eyes on the blonde, laughing while dancing with other moms, her hair was down like she had seen not too long ago. Her body was betraying her yet again. It involuntarily softened at the sight of the blonde. But it was all a manipulation she reminded herself. She had to get out of here. Lena began to turn to leave, but she was pushed back into the house when she nearly ran into a mom behind her who was expertly bouncing on a single wheel of a dirt bike. Goodness. Who were these moms? She felt like she didn’t recognize any of them in spite of knowing them at school for years. 

As she forcefully stepped back into the house, the music was turned down by Alex, who pulled Kara aside from the dancing. 

Lena worried someone might see her but they all seemed too drunk to notice anything or anyone. Out of view, Lena watched the event unfold. 

“Welcome to the ‘meet the candidate night’! We’re so happy to have everyone here, and now, please welcome your candidate, Kara fucking Danvers!” Alex exclaimed while the moms applauded and Kara climbed onto her coffee table with the help of Nia.

Everyone hushed while Kara began to talk. “Thanks for coming out!” she began, “I don’t have a speech or anything. I just wanted to say-” Alex passed her a paper. “That according to my sister,” she began reading the paper, “I think as moms, we all do way too much stuff and if I’m elected we’re gonna start doing way less! Less PTA meetings, less bake sales, less pressure, less bull-” she looked at Alex, “crap,” she said instead of what was written. 

The moms roared their approval with near howls and screams. 

Lena looked around, genuinely surprised by their fury. Less? They wanted to do less for their kids? What Lena did wasn’t bullcrap.

Kara continued with a wide smile as everyone cheered on. “Our kids need a break too! School starts way too early! And they have way too much homework and too many tests, and I just started at this school. Our kids have no time to be kids anymore! We shouldn’t be teaching our kids to be good test takers, we should be teaching them to be good people!”

The moms kept up with more rabid applause. 

Good people. Rich coming from you, thought Lena.

“So,” finished Kara, “if you’re tired of being overworked and underappreciated, and if the school is slowly driving you insane, or if you’re just a mom who wants to do less, then vote for me, because I’m an expert on that,” she said at last. 

The moms cheered louder and as Kara stepped down from the table, they swarmed around her, hugging her, high-fiving her, and taking photos with her. 

Kara was going to win the election. Lena knew it. And it made her stomach sink. Lena would lose something that mattered so much to her because she’d allowed herself to be outmaneuvered by Kara. Because she’d actually trusted the blonde despite her mother’s warnings and despite knowing better. 

That bottle that Sam had suggested now sounded like a brilliant idea. She headed to the kitchen as undetected as possible, but as she made her way there, she noticed Alex heading there as well, so she quickly reached for the door to the backyard and snuck out. 

The backyard was relatively quiet though there were some moms around. But as soon as they saw her though, they immediately cleared the area. She sighed, she’d definitely been seen now. She was hoping the yard had a way out to the front so she could leave, but unfortunately it didn’t seem to. So she walked to a wooden garden bench where there was poor lighting, nearly tripping on a forgotten baby bottle on the grass, and she sat down.

At least out here with the fresh air she could breathe easier, but not that much. She looked inside and saw all the parents actually enjoying themselves. They’d never looked like that at her parties. They always looked so proper and uptight. Probably because that was the impression Lena gave, so they all followed her lead. Here at Kara’s they could let loose. 

She even caught a glimpse of Jess laughing with William in the kitchen. When was the last time Jess had laughed around Lena just for the heck of it? 

Did every parent simply pretend around her? Lena had spent her young life surrounded by people like that, all she wanted was for people to stop pretending. She wanted to stop pretending.

And Kara… Lena thought she’d found someone kind, genuine and honest. Had she just been pretending? Had the kiss been pretend? Or the way she’d touched Lena? The way she’d fucked her?

She was about to take her chances and leave, even if everyone saw her, when she heard the door to the kitchen slide open.

Kara’s eyes met hers right away. The blonde smiled, appearing earnest, but Lena now knew better. The audacity of her to smile after what she’d just done , thought Lena. 

“Hi,” she said as she sat down next to her. 

“Quite the party,” Lena stated coldly, looking ahead. “You really outdid yourself.”

“It was mostly Alex, we put something together last minute,” Kara explained almost shily. 

Lena’s jaw tightened at the effrontery of Kara admitting that she threw her party last minute to overshadow hers. The rage built inside her like lava.

“I hope there’s no hard feelings,” Kara stated softly, “candidates have to throw a campaign party, right? Not that I think I have a chance anyway,” she added with a smile. 

Lena’s eye nearly twitched at the ridiculous attempt at flirtation. It only maddened her that Kara would try something so cheap at this point.  

“And yet you’re running,” Lena contested.

“A little competition is healthy, I’m sure the business woman in you knows that,” said Kara.

Lena kept looking forward, avoiding looking at Kara, who seemed to only keep her eyes on her. 

“I wanted to tell you about the party, I was going to call you, to explain that I was running, but I got caught up in the preparations. I’m sorry if it took you by surprise, it wasn’t my intention,” Kara said softly.

Yeah right . The whole point was to blindside her. Who was the blonde kidding? Why was she pretending still? Lena already knew everything, she knew it had all been a lie. 

“There’s no need for an explanation. I think you’ve made yourself quite clear,” Lena spoke, her indignation showing.

Kara bit her lip nervously as if unsure of what to say. “So why did you come?” she asked after some seconds. 

Lena looked at her, then quickly looked away. She couldn’t manage to look at Kara for too long. “Check out the competition.” 

“I was kind of hoping you’d also come for… me,” said Kara softly. 

Lena turned to look at her, an eyebrow raised in confusion. What did that mean? To support her? That was absurd. 

But Kara wasn’t looking at her, she was avoiding Lena this time. 

“For you?” asked Lena brazenly. 

Kara took a deep breath in as if preparing to say something, but then let it out and shook her head slightly as if talking herself out of it. 

“Just… nevermind,” she said. “I hope you’ll stay. I’d like this to be friendly,” stated Kara, her hand reaching for Lena’s.

Lena pulled her hand back, “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I have to get back to my son,” she answered quickly. 

“Oh, okay,” Kara said in a small surprise, retracting her hand, “well it is a school night, the party will probably be over by 10:00,” she added in a last effort to convince her to stay. 

Lena remained stoic. She had so much to say, so much to spit out at this woman that had manipulated her. But she calmed herself down as much as she possibly could, because she realized just then, what could she possibly say to this despicable human right now that she couldn’t show in a well-deserved vengeance plan.  

“Hey!” a voice came from the kitchen, more aimed at Kara than her. Lena hadn’t even heard the door open.

She and Kara turned to find William coming their way. 

“Hey,” Kara greeted him half-heartedly, but he leaned in for a hug. 

Lena refused to look at the blonde any longer and got up from the bench, thankful for once that William had shown up as it served as an excuse to leave. 

Kara pulled away from the hug to find Lena about to exit the backyard.   

“Lena, wait, please stay,” Kara pleaded.

William looked between them, taken aback by their familiarity. 

Lena turned back for a moment. “No, I don’t think I will,” she said before going back inside the house. Lena reached for her phone in her pocket and texted Sam and Jess to tell them she was leaving to check on Logan but they were free to stay. She added that she wanted time alone so they wouldn’t come after her.

Sam found the text odd and though she tried to search for Lena, she was already gone by then.  

Kara eyed inside her house from the backyard door. She had no time to express her disappointment as William commenced a conversation with her, one she wasn’t remotely interested in. She made her way inside and William followed, still saying… whatever he was saying. Kara looked at her house door in hopes of seeing Lena come back. She was disillusioned. No Lena in sight. 

---

Later that night, after the party had ended, Kara, Alex, and Nia cleaned up. 

"Martha fucking Stewart was at our party," Alex said in disbelief. 

"I can't believe it. And those delicious Jello things are going to give me a huge hangover," Nia added. 

Kara chuckled when a knock on the door surprised her and she practically ran to the door.

“Len-, oh… William, hi,” she noted, disappointed. “What are you doing here?” She asked.

“You… booty texted me?” He spoke confused.

Kara frowned in confusion as well, turning to Alex and Nia who began mumbling and grabbing their things to leave, making it clear the part they’d had in this.

Kara shook her head angrily. She needed to have a serious talk with Alex, although she couldn’t blame some of her sister's actions because Kara hadn’t been forthcoming with her about her relationship (or situationship with Lena - that’s what the kids called it these days she’d heard). 

After her sister and Nia were gone, she looked at William. “I’m sorry, it looks like my sister and my friend stole my phone and texted you.”

“Oh, that’s alright. I kind of figured. The messages were very disturbing,” he said with a chuckle. 

Kara smiled politely and shook her head, not even wanting to think of what Alex or Nia had texted him.

“So, should I go?” William asked. “To be perfectly honest, I was glad when I thought you’d texted.”

“William, you’re great, really. I’m sure any mom or woman in general would be lucky to have you, but I’m…”

“Not interested,” he finished, understandingly.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s not you, I… have feelings for someone else.” 

He nodded. “I understand. No hard feelings,” he said graciously. “In that case, I’ll see you around at school Kara. Goodnight.”

He waved goodbye and left from where he’d come in.

I have feelings for someone else. That was the first time she’d said it out loud, but she knew the words were true, she felt them. She had feelings for Lena Luthor, she’d known for a while. But Kara couldn’t tell how Lena really felt. It was hot and cold, and Kara was completely confused. Had running against Lena really ruined everything just like that? She didn’t quite understand why it meant so much to Lena. She’d give up the run if Lena asked. Frankly, Kara didn’t even want the PTA presidency, she couldn’t have cared less for it. She wanted… Lena. 

This thing between them felt so much more important than a single campaign party. If the brunette ever actually allowed them to have an honest conversation with one another maybe they’d both know what this was. But Lena seemed to want to do everything but that. 

Kara sighed in frustration and let her head fall back. 

---

Lena headed home in a hurry from the party. Her hands had gone white from holding the steering wheel too tight. Her breathing was volatile, her driving even more so. She was trembling with rage. 

Lena parked her car in two spots as she reached her building. She stepped out of it and slammed the door. 

She struck the button on the elevator with her closed fist and stepped in. 

As she reached her place, she threw her keys in a bowl, hurled her shoes in different directions and made her way to the kitchen. She pulled out a bottle of her finest scotch and drank straight from it, letting the liquid burn her throat.

She had been betrayed. And this was so much worse than any betrayal she’d faced before. Andrea had betrayed her. The moms from the PTA  had betrayed her. Her own mother and brother had betrayed her. But none of those hurt as much as this. 

Kara had seen right through her, right through her need to be different, her desperate need to not be just another Luthor and she had used it to her advantage. Kara not only convinced her that she thought differently of her, she made her feel like she was more than her last name, made her think she could trust her. She had made Lena feel… something else she hadn’t felt in a long time. 

Lena had let herself be fooled so easily, manipulated with such ease. So many years of chess to be checkmated so easily, so many years of reading the Art of War just to be tricked by a fucking trojan horse. She felt pathetic. She remembered her mother’s words during that phone call so many weeks ago. 

She’s there to finish what she started… She won’t stop until every Luthor is behind bars…. 

Her mother had been right. And oh how childish Lena had been. 

She would not sit back. If Kara wanted to play dirty, Lena would play dirtier. Just like she had hurt her, she would hit Kara where it hurt the most. 

Lena was not as seethrough as Kara thought. It was time to prove the blonde wrong, prove that she didn’t know Lena at all.

Kara would soon learn exactly the kind of person Lena Luthor really was.

You know what to do , Lillian had said. 

Now, Lena did. “Yes, mother,” Lena whispered to herself. 

---

 

Lena reached the school and parked her car the day after the campaign party. She pulled out a paper bag from the compartment between their seats and handed it to Jess. 

“Locker 210, Combination is 30-10-60,” said Lena. 

“Yes Miss Luthor,” Jess responded as she took it and stepped out of the car to her mission.

Notes:

I had fun with Andrea this time, hope you all enjoyed that.
I also had some fun with Kara and Lena ;) to give you all something to enjoy since I took a while for this chapter. I hope it distracts as I work on the last ones.

Chapter 5: Anchored

Notes:

Some terms relevant to fencing in this chapter:
Allez = go (used to start a match).
Fleche = explosive attack, usually a surprise
Riposte = defender’s offensive action immediately after parrying attack.
Some self explanatory terms but still relevant to fencing: hit, counter-attack, recover

“I’m sorry, you found what?” Kara asked befuddled as she sat in the principal’s office with her son next to her. 

“I found marijuana cigarettes in your son’s locker,” Principal Burr explained as he showed them the cigarettes in a transparent bag. 

“That’s impossible, he’s only twelve,” Kara argued. 

“It happens, Snoop ‘been smoking since he was 5,” the principal argued back as he nearly smelled the bag but then caught himself. 

“Those aren’t mine,” Dean jumped in. “I swear to God,” he turned to his mom, “Mom, I swear they aren’t mine,” he asserted in distress. 

“I believe you,” Kara told him, equally distressed. 

“And why were you looking in my locker anyway?” Dean turned to the principal. 

“We were tipped off by a concerned parent,” he explained. 

“Wait a minute,” said Kara, she closed her eyes in frustration and hoped it wasn’t who she thought it was. “Was this concerned parent Lena Luthor?” she asked. 

“I don’t know nothing about Ms. Luthor, she scares me. But I do know that this school is a 0 tolerance school so that means that your son is banned from all extracurricular activities.”

“What?” Dean exclaimed. 

“And this information is of course going to go on his permanent record, and it will be up to the board to consider an appropriate punishment and whether or not your son is fit to remain in this school due to this unacceptable behavior,” the principal added. 

“What?!” If Kara had ever come close to screaming, it was this moment.  

Kara closed her eyes and brought her hand to her forehead. This wasn’t okay. This was absolutely not okay. 

“My hands were tied,” apologized the principal. 

Dean ran out of the office and Kara went after him. 

“Buddy wait!” called out Kara. 

“Those weren’t mine!” he exclaimed. 

“I know, I know. It’ll be okay,” Kara said with her assertive mom voice.

“How mom? It’s going on my record,” he said with near tears in his eyes. 

“I’m a Pulitzer winning reporter, remember? Finding things out and exposing the truth is what I do best. I will find out who did this and I will fix it. I promise, okay?” she comforted him. 

He nodded and she hugged him hard. 

“Why did you ask about Miss Luthor?” Dean asked. 

“Um, no reason, I’m running against her for PTA president and I thought she might be mad,” said Kara, “But I didn’t think she’d do this,” she said dejectedly. 

“But the principal said it wasn’t her who sent the tip,” he innocently argued. 

“Yeah, right. Probably some mom being mad about you taking their son’s spot on the team, okay. But no matter who it is, I’m going to find out. I won’t rest till I do.” 

“Thanks mom,” he said and hugged her tighter. 

Kara would have given anything to be wrong about Lena right about now. The thought was absolutely devastating. If Lena had done this, she’d crossed the line. And for what? A PTA presidency?

---

The next Monday, Lena made her way to a PTA meeting. 

“You still seem mad,” Jess noted. 

“I am,” Lena said as she walked straight ahead. 

“But you already got back at her.”

“As if throwing a party the same night as mine wasn’t enough, then I find out that she had the nerve to announce her run for the PTA presidency on the same day that she…” Lena cut herself off. She didn’t want to share any further details. 

“Same day that she what?” Jess wondered. 

“It doesn’t matter,” Lena let out with a heavy breath to control her indignation. “Let’s move on.” 

“Okay, well, on another subject, are you nervous about the PTA?” asked Jess.

“Why would I be nervous?” replied Lena. 

“Because the vote is coming up soon and you might not-” Jess nearly finished her sentence but chose not to after Lena stopped dead in her tracks and stared her down. “I mean, I just sent you the agenda,” she diverted.

Lena looked at her tablet and checked the agenda for the day as she and Jess headed to the conference room.

On their way there, she heard some moms from the PTA, discussing the vote. 

It instantly triggered her, and without thinking, she walked up to them.

“Did you guys hear?” she called their attention, “Kara Danvers’ son got busted for drugs!” she exclaimed dramatically. 

“What? No way!” exclaimed the first woman.

“And I am not blaming Kara Danvers, I mean I would never ever judge another mother but I think we really need to ask ourselves, do we want someone who is that reckless and irresponsible and mentally unhinged alcoholic to be president of the PTA? I don’t know,” Lena said shrewdly in feigned concern.

“You know what? I never even liked her,” said the second mom, “she looks so… nice ,” she finished in distaste. 

“Oh, God, ugh, nice people,” said Lena in equal antipathy. “Listen, I think now we just need to pray that Kara’s little crackhead son gets the help he needs,” she said, playing into the concerned parent role. 

The moms nodded. 

Lena walked off as the moms whispered and gossiped. She was aware of what they would say and how quickly the information would spread, after all, she’d been on the other side of that gossip before. 

As she and Jess finally made it to the door of the conference room, some other moms caught up, and it was none other than the corrupt PTA moms. Their punishment she’d handled the same day as Kara’s. 

“Hey, Lena,” they called out, a little hesitant and jittery, “you didn’t invite us to the meeting,” said the first mom, Eve, was her name. 

“Only PTA members are invited,” Lena said, looking up from her tablet with a phony smile.  

“But we’re PTA members,” jumped in the other mom, Mercy. 

“Oh, I guess you didn’t get the memo, you’re not anymore,” said Lena, delighted to give the news. Lena turned to Jess who eliminated their numbers from the PTA group chat on the spot. 

“What are you talking about?” Eve asked. 

“Oh, I found out about your extracurriculars, or should I say, your sons’ extracurriculars among other things. I know all about your abuse of power. I know that you used the PTA positions, my reputation and my name to get your way. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? Did you think there wouldn’t be any consequences? If I so please, your reckoning could just be beginning, instead, I’m giving you the easy way out though either of you hardly deserve it.”

“Oh, I.. I … we,” stammered Eve. 

“Don’t waste my time with your lies and explanations. I trusted you with this school and you betrayed that trust, and now, you can politely and voluntarily step down from your positions and never run for any PTA position again, or I will remind you why I run this PTA, why I run this school, and I will show you exactly why everyone here calls me The Ice Queen,” she finished off in a cutthroat tone that left Eve and Mercy aghast, and not a word was uttered by either mom. 

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting to run,” said Lena as Jess opened the door for her and she walked into the conference room, leaving the women behind. 

Jess stared at her.

“What?” Lena asked.

“I just didn’t know that you knew that people called you The Ice Queen,” Jess let out in a low murmur, feeling a little hurt on Lena’s behalf because of the cruel nickname. 

“Well I do.”

“But at least that must’ve felt good,” her assistant said with a smirk. 

“Incredibly,” agreed Lena with a smile on her face. It felt good to do what was right. No more corrupt moms on the PTA. It was all cleansed. At least that’s what she told herself to avoid thinking about her own actions.

“Let’s get started,” she said as she sat on her chair at the end of the table. The other members all got ready, taking out their notebooks and tablets. 

“First order of business,” began Lena, “2 spots just opened up on our PTA, so we’ll be taking applications after this meeting,” she said.

The moms looked around, noticing the missing seats. Usually, the moms wouldn’t dare to speak up. But the knowledge of the impending PTA vote and Lena’s less than favorable outlook gave one the nerve to say something today. 

“What happened to the other members?” 

“They decided to step down,” Lena said coolly. 

The moms looked at each other. 

“Next order of business,” continued Lena. “the book fair will be coming up-”

“Excuse me,” interrupted Magann. 

Lena looked up. 

“Aren’t we going to discuss the more important thing?” Magann asked. 

“And what is that?” replied Lena. 

“That the PTA President vote is coming up,” she said shily. 

“And what about it?” questioned Lena. 

Magann was losing her nerve but she pushed forward. “Well, we were just wondering if we had to make preparations.”

“Preparations for what?” pushed Lena, now aggravated. 

The room was silent and the moms once again looked at each other. 

Lena knew what they meant, but she didn’t want to face it. They all thought she was going to lose. The preparations were for Kara to come in as new PTA president. 

She tightened her jaw. She could not lose the presidency, no matter what. 

“You have nothing to prepare. I think we all know exactly what kind of school this is and why it is a model for other schools. And the answer is me. Because of me and everything I have done to make it so. Kara Danvers is unprepared to be PTA president. She has shown no interest in being a part of this school or being involved in the children’s lives and is too busy with her job to dedicate time to this very difficult and time consuming job,” said Lena. 

“Don’t you run like 5 other companies?” asked a mom in the back. 

Lena ignored her. “I hope that you all make the right decision on the day of the vote. If you care about your children, their wellbeing, their development and their success, I think you know who to vote for. But if you are a slacker mom who doesn’t give a rat's ass about whether her child goes to college or ends up a homeless drug addict, well then, that’s up to you.”

The moms were quiet for a moment when one ‘whispered’ that she’d “heard that Kara Danvers’ son was caught doing crack cocaine and getting tattooed in the bathroom.”. 

“Oh my God!” exclaimed the moms in disgust and an instant judgmental chatter began. Lena let it go on uninterrupted for a while before getting back to the agenda. 

---

 

Kara wasn’t typing on the keyboard, she was ramming her fingers into each key, furiously. 

Alex sipped a drink on the other side of the table. “Do you want to talk-”

“No,” Kara stated as she kept her attention on her screen. 

“Okay, cool.”

Kara slammed some more keys. 

“You’re gonna break the keyboard,” Alex noted. Kara ignored her. 

Her sister sighed and put her drink aside. “I know you like to believe in the good in people, I’m sorry, Kara,” she said softly. 

“Fine!” Kara exclaimed, lifting her hands. “What do you want Alex? Do you want me to tell you that you were right? That Lena is the devil incarnate, that she’s a terrible person? Well, I hate to break it to you but we don’t know that she had anything to do with the weed situation, so please just let me finish this article and get back to work, so I can focus on finding out who actually did this.”

Alex opened her mouth and sighed again. “I already know who did it, I have-”

“Alex, just stop. You’ve had it out for Lena since day one-”

“I have proof!” Alex cut in. 

“What?” Kara’s brow furrowed. 

Alex pulled out her phone and showed Kara a photo. “That’s Lena’s assistant entering the school with a suspicious bag,” Alex swiped to the side, “and that’s her leaving 5 minutes later with no bag the same day the weed was found.”

Kara slumped in her spot. No , it couldn’t be.

Could one feel one’s own heart breaking?

“I’m sorry Kara. But aren’t you glad I made you run for the PTA president now? Lena Luthor needs a fucking lesson. You don’t mess with my nephew and get away with it,” Alex stated.

Kara sighed in disappointment. “Dean really loves this school. He was finally doing well, his teachers love him and he’s been making friends, everything was finally going right for him. I don’t understand how she could… why-”

“Because she’s a Luthor. She can’t help it, it’s in her blood or something,” Alex grabbed her drink again. “And Lena fucked that up for Dean. Even after you wrote that article praising her. Gosh, what a bitch,” she said in utter contempt. 

After everything between Kara and Lena. After believing in the brunette, and letting herself think that something could blossom between them, that something was blossoming, it was all set ablaze, by none other than Lena herself. Kara couldn’t understand for the life of her why. This felt so out of character for Lena. But maybe Kara hadn’t known her at all. Maybe everything had just been wishful thinking and Kara had been so blinded by her growing feelings that she’d ignored what everyone else apparently saw so clearly. 

“I thought she’d forgiven me, you know,” the blonde said softly, almost as if Alex weren’t there. 

“For the article like 10 years ago?” Alex asked as she ate a granola bar. 

“Yeah.”

“She can’t forgive Kara. She’s incapable of it. I know you tried, I know you tried to show her kindness in the hopes that she’d be changed by it, but some people don’t change. She probably had it out for you since day one and you just didn’t know it,” Alex stated. 

“You didn’t help,” Kara said, letting a thought she’d had for a while float out of her mouth with slight judgment. 

“What does that mean?” Alex asked, offended and putting the granola bar down. 

“You’ve been ruthless about her. You wouldn’t give her a chance. It’s like you manifested it.”

“So it’s my fault? I was literally right!” her sister exclaimed. “She’s never been a good person, I didn’t manifest what was already there. You were just blinded cuz you’re too good of a person to see it.” 

Kara sighed. She didn’t want to cast blame. Lena’s actions were not Alex’s fault, but Kara felt so helpless right now, so disappointed, and hurt. This thing between her and Lena could have been so much more. 

“Don’t worry, you can still fix this for Dean,” Alex spoke. “And I know you don’t see it this way, but what Lena did is an act of war. You need to fight back, put her in her place.”

“I already ran the campaign if that’s what you mean, which I don’t think did me any good to be honest. Right now, I need to focus on talking to the school board, or-”

“No, Kara, you need to win the campaign and become PTA president, and then you’ll have the power she does. Then you’ll get Dean back into the school. But you need to step up your game or you might lose with all the rumors that have been spreading. You need to show the moms that you can take on Lena, and that you can actually win. You need to do what it takes to keep Dean in this school.”

The more Kara thought about it, the angrier she got. Her son didn’t deserve this. Kara couldn’t make any more excuses for the woman, not when Lena had hurt Dean so despicably over something so trivial. The blonde got worry lines just remembering Dean’s face at the office, his concern and his watery eyes. This wasn’t about Lena and her anymore. Her priority was to resolve this issue for her son as soon as possible. So she put her feelings for Lena aside and went on protective-mom mode. And if that meant winning this ridiculous PTA presidency thing, going to war with Lena, so be it. 

“Okay, Alex. We’ll do this your way.”

Alex smiled wide and sat up straight. “Finally!” She did one strong clap in excitement. 

“How do I show the moms that I can stand up to Lena?”

“Okay. You need to make a scene. Are you angry? Cuz I need you angry for this. ”

“Oh I’m angry,” Kara confirmed. 

---

Kara stomped into the school that Monday. She had texted Magann and gotten information on exactly where Lena was going to be that day. She headed to the conference room and barged in, pushing the doors violently open.

“Hey!” she called out to Lena in a room full of moms. All eyes atuomatically on her. 

Lena looked up, her surprise clear though she tried to keep her composure.  

“How dare you frame my son!” Kara exclaimed as she made her way closer to Lena. 

Lena’s face tightened imperceptibly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but everyone in this room is very sympathetic to you,” she said coldly as she turned to the moms, “Kara just went through a divorce recently and has clearly been drinking. This must be a bit of a mental breakdown,” she said as she twirled her hand in the air to show a crazy sign. 

The moms sighed pity. “That’s so sad,” said one of them. 

Kara let out an exasperated sigh in disbelief and shook her head slightly. “I thought I saw something in you,” she cut in. “So I justified the way you behaved and I never believed what anyone said about you, and I’ve met your family. But even after all that, I didn’t believe for a second that you were a Luthor, until you framed my son. I was going to drop out of the race but it’s on.”

“It’s too late to change anything, your son's transgressions are already going on his record and he will be expelled,” Lena fought back in a riposte, her composure nearly ruffled. 

“Don’t be too sure about that, I heard the PTA president has a lot of power around here,” Kara answered in a quick ricochet. “See you at the vote. Allez,” she said as she walked out of the conference room. 

The moms remained silent, looking away from Lena and giving each other looks. Kara’s hit had made an impression that no one would forget any time soon, that was for sure. She’d rattled Lena’s authority, all PTA moms present to witness, and Lena was indignant. She couldn’t remain there a moment longer. 

“We’ll pick this up another time. We’ll reschedule,” she said firmly as she rose from her chair and quickly walked out of the meeting, her pulse out of control. 

Lena thought she’d reigned it all in, had this PTA presidency in the bag, but Kara wasn’t going down without a fight. Lena should have guessed the blonde wouldn’t just roll on her back, but perform a fleche instead. Kara had gone through all that effort to steal the presidency in the first place as was evident to Lena, there was no reason to give up because the brunette had decided to play just as dirty as her. 

Unfortunately, Lena was out of tricks and the vote was tomorrow. She should have stayed at the meeting, continued as if unperturbed by the blonde’s intrusion or in the least said something to counter-attack. But instead she’d let it show just how much Kara gotten to her. How could she hope to recover by the vote?

Lena began counting every step she took, every transition in the floor, every door and window corner, and thing in her line of sight. She was losing control and her OCD burst out in the best way it knew how, though it offered little comfort and much anxiety. 

---

 

“You’re going to lose the presidency,” nearly screamed Nia as she bounced onto the side of the mustang from Alex’s berserk driving. 

“No, we’re not,” Alex insisted as she sped up. “We’re gonna make it.”

“Why couldn’t we have gone on time?” Nia asked as she held on tightly to the chair in front of her to safeguard her life.

“Because Alex wanted to be dramatic,” Kara explained, holding on to the dashboard and seatbelt, as well as with her feet in front of her as Alex took a hard left.

“And why do I need to be there? My kid’s in pre-school,” Nia wondered.

“I told you, moral support,” Alex stated as she crossed a light on yellow. 

“We’re never gonna make it,” said Kara. 

“Not alive at least,” Nia added. 

---

 

“...and it is for that reason, and the 49 others I laid out earlier, that I humbly request your vote. Thank you,” Lena wrapped up her PTA speech in a crowded auditorium. A polite applause followed her speech and she walked back to her candidate seat. The one next to hers, the one where Kara should have been, was empty. 

Principal Burr returned to the podium. 

“Thank you Miss Luthor,” began principal Burr, “Well, it appears that only one of our candidates decided to show up, so-”

The doors of the gymnasium blasted open and Kara, Alex and Nia stepped through them. 

“I’m sorry I’m late,” called out Kara as she rushed to the stage. “But I’m here,” she said as she got to the stage and went up the stairs. 

Lena’s face twitched. 

“You are just in time for your candidate speech,” Burr told her as he introduced her and moved from the podium. 

Kara took her spot while Alex and Nia sat in the front, Alex shamelessly kicking some moms out of their seats and pushing them over.  

Kara checked her pocket for the speech Alex and Nia had prepared only to find it empty. 

Alex looked at her and raised her hands in a question until she too realized that they had forgotten the speech printed out somewhere in Kara’s house. 

“Say something,” Alex whispered to her and Kara began as best she could. 

“Hi, my name is Kara Danvers and I’m running for PTA President,” she said. 

The auditorium was dead quiet. 

Kara swallowed. “I know that a lot of rumors have been going around about my son and probably me, which has made you all think I’m a bad mom,” she said. 

Various moms in the audience nodded and whispered small yeses, confirming Kara’s words.

“And you know what?” she continued, “you’re right.”

“This might not have been such a good idea after all,” Alex whispered to Nia, regretting the whole endeavor.

“She’s got this, give her a chance,” Nia comforted her. 

“Because I have no freaking clue what I’m doing as a mom,” confessed Kara. “I don’t know how to make breakfast, or lunch or dinner, while I’m at it. I don’t know if I’m being too permissive or how to even be more disciplined. I have no clue.”

Some moms in the audience chuckled and there was scattered applause.

“And you know what? I don’t think most of us know what we’re doing, because being a mom is freaking hard. So can we all just stop pretending like we’ve got it all figured out and maybe stop judging each other all the time?”

The applause grew. 

“I never doubted her,” Alex whispered to Nia who shook her head and chuckled. 

“I’m running for PTA president because I want this school to be a place where you don’t have to be perfect, and a place where you can be yourself and make mistakes, and where you’re judged by how hard you’re trying, not by what you bring to the bake sale.”

Bigger applause erupted and Lena shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“I want our school to be a place where it’s okay to be a bad mom and where we can all put our efforts into guiding our children so they can become good people. And trust me, that’s a lot harder than making perfect kids.”

The moms began to cheer for her.

“And it doesn’t take a perfect mom to raise good children. It just takes one that’s trying, even while messing up every now and then.”

The moms continued cheering, louder this time.

“If you’re a perfect mom who’s got this whole parenting thing figured out, please vote for Lena. But if you’re a bad mom like me and you have no freaking clue what you’re doing, then please vote for me and we can figure this out together,” Kara finished. 

The moms stood up in a standing ovation, clapping and cheering in a roar for Kara. 

Lena sat by in shock. 

Kara smiled at the crowd and principal Burr walked up to the podium.

“Thank you Miss Danvers for that rousing speech,” he began as the moms settled down. “Okay, let’s vote. By show of applause, who would like Lena Luthor to be President of the PTA?”

A few scattered claps were heard but faded out quickly.

“Alright,” he continued, “by show of applause, who would like Kara Danvers to be President of the PTA?”

The auditorium erupted with applause. Kara laughed on stage, humbled by the support while Lena seethed in her chair, completely humiliated. 

At the podium, Principal Burr banged his gavel. “Very well,” he called out, silencing the crowd. “The new President of the PTA is...Ms. Danvers!” he exclaimed. 

The entire auditorium erupted into more applause and cheers.

Alex and Nia ran to Kara on stage and the rest of the auditorium turned into chaos as the moms made their way to Kara to celebrate. 

The chaos was deafening to Lena, and the view in front of her faded into a blur. 

Kara turned around to look for Lena, who she’d not really paid attention to when she’d come in (she feared she’d lose her nerve if she saw her), only to catch her leaving out the backdoor of the auditorium.

Lena walked out furious and disgraced. After Kara ran the school to the ground, the moms would come crawling back in regret, begging her to return, Lena knew. But that thought wasn’t enough to soothe her, neither was counting every step she took, but once again, her OCD was bursting out the seams of her brain. 

How could she let it get to this? 

How could she have let her guard down around Kara freaking Danvers?

---

“Congratulations PTA President!” proclaimed Kelly as she hugged Kara later that night in her house. Alex and Nia had told her the news and showed her a recording of it that they’d gotten from a group chat. 

“Thank you,” said Kara, hugging her back. 

“That was a great speech. I think it really spoke to all the moms,” said Nia with a smile.

“Yeah, it wasn't too hard to figure out what we all had in common,” Kara said. 

“You crushed it!” exclaimed Alex as she went in for a much tighter hug than Nia. 

“Thanks,” said Kara half-heartedly. 

“Why aren’t you more excited?” asked Alex. 

“No, I am,” Kara answered, “I’m just feeling drained,” she explained. Drained of fighting Lena and from lamenting losing her because of all this. The win didn’t feel like a victory. She hadn’t solved Dean’s problem yet. And the situation with Lena was up in the air, unless Lena decided to take the Luthor route and drag this out even further, which only made Kara feel even more spent.

“Alright, well, we’ve all got homes and kids to get back to, so we should get going,” said Alex. “I just need to get Esme and her stuff, I’ll be right back,” she said and headed upstairs where her daughter was sleeping.

“Are you okay?” asked Kelly, when she noticed Kara’s concern. 

“Yeah, I just… I’m just worried about Lena. I don’t think she took losing very well,” said Kara. 

“She’ll be fine, she’s a smart woman who knows when she’s been beat. She pretty much disappeared after the vote as I would have if I were her,” Nia said.  

“A smart woman? Now you’re complimenting her all of a sudden?” noted Kara. 

“Yeah, she’s smart, so what?” asked Nia. 

“You ambushed her the day of the interview, haven’t a single good thing to say about her since so I’m just surprised to hear a compliment,” reminded Kara. 

“I was just trying to be more like you. I was trying to dig deep and get a story… to impress you,” Nia explained. “You didn’t mention anything, I… did I mess up the interview in irreperable ways?” 

Kara hadn’t talked to Nia about her attitude during the interview since it had happened, but she now understood why her friend had behaved that way, and how people often behaved in strange ways to impress others. Had that somehow happened to Lena? Had she gotten caught up in all these moms acting in reprehensible ways just to make an impression on her because she was a Luthor? 

“No, you didn’t mess up. It’s just that I wasn’t there that day to charge at her,” Kara explained kindly. “And for the record, you don’t need to impress me, you’re a great reporter. Next time, follow your gut, don’t do something just because it’s what you think I want.”

“Okay, I will, Thanks Kara,” said Nia. “Are you okay though, seriously? I know Alex asked but you don’t look too happy about winning.”

“It’s just… Lena and I were on good terms, but I don’t know what happened before this PTA president thing, she just completely shifted with no explanation,” said Kara, her turmoil now evident. 

“Good terms? Since when? Anyway, I don’t know about before that but you ran a harsh campaign. I mean having your party the same night as hers was brutal,” said Nia as she laid on the couch. 

Kara paused and looked at her, “what?” she asked bewildered. She turned to Kelly for an explanation. 

“I thought Alex told you,” said Kelly. 

“My party wasn’t the same night, Lena’s party was later,” Kara said, in denial and disbelief.

“No, it was the same night,” repeated Nia. “Everyone’s mouth dropped when they found out that you had the balls. And they all skipped on her party to go to yours.” 

Kara was quietly thinking. On seeing her reaction, Nia quickly spoke. “What? What is it? Isn’t that what you wanted? To beat Lena at her own game?”

“Lena thinks I betrayed her. She thinks I deceived her,” said Kara, ignoring Nia’s questions because no, it was not what Kara had wanted. It was what Alex wanted and had conveniently left out. 

“Why would she think that? You’re basically sworn enemies,” said Nia, baffled. 

“Except we’re not. And we were getting along and I… we…,” Kara trailed off, not wanting to divulge any more details. 

But Kelly sensed there was more to Kara’s words and kindly asked “did something happen?”

Kara considered saying no, but she was tired of keeping this from her friends. “I actually really like her,” she admitted. 

Nia was quiet. “What do you mean ‘really like her’? As a person? Lena Luthor?”

“Yes,” confessed Kara. “I even kissed her and…”

“Whoa! What?” screamed Nia. “When? How? What?!”

“Keep your voice down, Alex will hear,” Kara warned. 

Kelly’s eyes widened at the confession but she didn’t seem that surprised. “When?”

“Some weeks ago. And the day before the party, the day of Dean’s game we…,” Kara stopped herself, biting her lip. “Something happened between us.”  

“That was also the day Alex announced you were running to everyone, which I’m guessing she didn’t tell you either,” added Kelly. 

“Everyone?” Kara repeated as if hoping she had misheard. She sighed in understanding. Talk about the worst possible timing. Of course. How else would Lena have taken Kara announcing that she was running against her on the same day they’d had sex. And then to have a party to rival hers on the same night? It all made sense now. It had never been about the position, it had been about the timing. 

“Oh God, I need to talk to her. She misunderstood and she acted out because she was hurt and probably confused,” said Kara. 

“You kissed her?!” exclaimed Nia again, unable to process anything that had come after that revelation. 

“I need to fix this. Don’t tell Alex okay, she wouldn’t understand,” asked Kara, “not until I figure things out. Please,” she requested. 

“Okay,” Kelly kindly obliged. 

“And also don’t tell her that I’m furious with her, I’ll deal with her later,” Kara told Kelly. 

“I’m not getting between the sisters,” Kelly said with her hands raised in the air. 

Nia was still open-mouthed. 

“Nia, please, not a word to Alex,” Kara beseeched. 

“Okay, yeah, okay, I’m just still in shock.”

“In shock over what?” asked Alex as she returned from upstairs, carrying Esme and her bags.

“That she… beat Lena so easily,” lied Nia. 

“Why are you shocked, it was a no brainer. No one wants the Ice Queen there,” said Alex. 

“Alex, I’ve asked you not to call her that,” the blonde said sternly. 

“Right. Sorry,” Alex apologized. “Alright, so we’re gonna get going,” she said as she passed Kelly her bag and made her way out. Kelly and Nia also said their goodbyes. 

Once they were gone, Kara immediately went to her phone to text Lena.  

Kara: I didn’t know your campaign party was the same night as mine. [8:37 p.m.]

Kara: I didn’t know about the announcement the day we… you know what, during the basketball game [8:37 p.m.]

Why was Kara feeling like an angsty teen all of a sudden?

Kara: Can we talk? [8:55 p.m.]

She paced around her living room for a while, waiting, but the messages went unanswered. What did a girl have to do to get a text back around here?  

She made her way to the hall to go up to her bedroom, when she passed the article in her hall and stared at it. What was that still doing here? 

---

 

“Who are you texting?” Sam asked Jess on a late night of work as they both made their way to Sam’s office to wrap up and leave. 

“Um, no one,” Jess quickly replied, locking her phone. 

“Is it… William ?” Sam asked, raising her brows and pestering the woman. 

Jess blushed, “Okay, yes, it’s him.”

“I knew it! He’s got you blushing. I saw you two hitting it off at Kara’s party.”

“Yeah, he’s super hot, and sweet. And he just asked me out on a date,” Jess said giddily. 

“That’s great! I’m happy for you! Have fun. Good for you on landing the widower.” 

Jess blushed harder as they arrived at the office. Sam noted it was empty. “I thought Lena was coming to L Corp today.”

“Not today, PTA vote,” said Jess, her demeanor changing right away. 

“Right,” Sam remembered. “I’d forgotten about that. Anyway, you can go Jess, I’ll wrap up here and get going home. Ruby’s babysitter charges by the minute it seems.”

“Well actually…” said Jess, calling Sam’s attention by her office door. 

The woman immediately turned back. “Yeah?” Sam asked inquisitively. 

“Maybe you should check up on her,” said Jess. 

“Why? What happened?” asked Sam right away, her protective instinct over Lena kicking in. “Is she still sulking about the party?” She recalled seeing a large frame at Kara’s house that put on display the article about Lena’s family. Perhaps Lena had been affected by that. 

“She hasn’t been herself the last couple of days. She’s been acting like… I don’t know, Lillian . I think that party really got to her. But I don’t think her actions are sitting too well with her.”

“Her actions? Her actions about what?” Sam asked. 

“When she had me… take care of it,” said Jess. 

Sam frowned, quite confused. “What does that mean? What is ‘it’?”

Jess swallowed, then sighed and gave in. “Lena just said to take care of it and gave it to me, so I took care of it,” she answered, avoiding the question that had been asked. 

“Jess, what did she ask you to do?” Sam asked again, her face evidently worried now. 

“She had me plant some weed,” responded Jess in a whisper. “I probably wasn’t supposed to look in the bag but I did.”

“What!” jumped Sam. “Are you insane?”

“It wasn’t my idea!” Jess contested. 

“Jesus!” exclaimed Sam. “On Kara’s son’s locker or bag, right?” she checked to be sure. 

“Locker, yeah,” confirmed Jess. “I felt kinda weird about it but it’s no big deal right?”

“What? Yes! It is a big deal Jess,” said Sam. “They expel kids for that,” she explained.

“What? No, it’s probably more like detention,” argued Jess. 

“No Jess, expulsion. Especially this school. You need to undo this before they find it,” Sam urged. 

“About that,” said Jess, a little uneasy.

“What?” asked Sam, concerned for the answer that was coming. 

“I already tipped the school off that same day. That was days ago,” said Jess. 

Sam closed her eyes and shook her head. “ Lena, what have you done?” she said aloud. “I’ll handle this.”

“Okay,” said Jess in a near whisper. 

“Any idea how the PTA vote went?” Sam asked Jess. If Lena had done something so frantic over a party, she couldn’t imagine what she’d do if she lost the vote. 

“Lena isn’t answering her phone, I’m guessing it didn’t go well.”

That wasn’t a good sign. “Okay, thanks,” Sam said as she turned to walk back out. Her work could wait another night, Lena on the other hand, could probably not. “And Jess…”

“Yeah?” the assistant asked hesitantly. 

“Next time Lena asks you to pull something like this, don’t ,” Sam said gravely. 

Jess simply nodded, ashamed of her role as Sam left the office. 

---

 

Lena made herself some tea later that night. She had dragged herself home in defeat, completely downtrodden after an overwhelming loss to Kara. She took her shoes off and put the water to boil on the kettle. She felt restless and she hoped the tea would help. But as she watched the kettle boil, she rethought the tea, and instead, she pulled out a bottle of her strongest alcohol. It happened to be her brother’s favorite. 

She took gulp after gulp and sat seething in her kitchen instead, like a true Luthor. She raised the bottle in the air and began a toast to the darkness of her living room, “to the Luthor name. I guess I’ll never escape what’s in my blood. You got what you wanted mother, I hope you’re fucking happy , I just ruined some poor kid’s future and hurt another mom in a way that I’d never forgive if someone did to me and I… crushed my own heart in the process, and the worst part is I’m sure it wouldn’t even be enough for you,” she let gravity pull her arm back down with force, bumping the bottle so hard against the counter that she almost thought she cracked the glass. 

She poured the liquid down her throat as she sat on the counter, alone and miserable. Good thing Logan was sound asleep. He’d come home exhausted after horseback riding most of the day and had gone to bed early, leaving Lena plenty of time to wallow in self pity.

The last few days played over in her head. 

She thought about Kara’s speech at her house party and the school. About how it had garnered a shocking amount of support from the parents. This whole time she thought she’d been doing what was best for the children and the school. She’d put her professional work to the side for the most part, she’d neglected a social life, and instead she had put her time and energy into this school and had been since the first day. More more more. She didn’t understand why the moms wanted to do less . 

Almost everything she’d done, she’d done for them, for those moms that couldn’t stand her, that didn’t really respect her, that apparently felt Lena was making everything harder and didn’t appreciate her at all. All that pushing herself, all that effort and trying to be perfect, and for what? Not a single mom at that school actually wanted it.   

And now, she’d lost the PTA presidency. The one thing that was hers had been taken. By Kara . How could she?

A couple tears fell down Lena’s face. And she put the bottle down on the counter, too close to the edge without noticing.

Don’t you dare cry. Luthors do not cry. Wipe those tears right now, she heard Lillian’s voice echo in her mind like it had throughout all of Lena’s childhood. 

She went to wipe her tears and accidentally elbowed the bottle, pushing it to the floor, and shattering it. She might have cracked the glass moments earlier after all. 

“Fuck,” she sighed, too worn-out for it to come out with any actual gumption. With a body that felt twice as heavy as it actually was, she got off the chair and kneeled to pick up some pieces, carefully grabbing the larger shards to avoid getting cut like when… 

The tears began falling uncontrollably. Lena started sobbing like she probably hadn’t since her father had died. She couldn’t stop if she’d wanted to, but she didn’t want to. For once, she let them fall. She dropped the pieces of glass back on the floor and sat with her back against the counter, just letting herself cry, a hard, ugly cry that Lillian would’ve been appalled to see. But Lena couldn’t find it in herself to care anymore. 

And the more she thought about the last few months since Kara had arrived, the more she cried, and the more other feelings rose to the surface. Things she kept putting into boxes and shoving away all began erupting.

Lena vaguely heard her house door open while she cried. Sam was the only one with a key aside from her, but if there were burglars trying to break in, it would have been the cherry on top of her lousy night. 

“Lena? Are you home?” called Sam. She walked in and searched for Lena, following the sobs all the way to the kitchen where she found Lena on the floor, her eyes red and bloated, crying next to a broken bottle of alcohol.

“Lena, oh God, are you okay?” Sam rushed to her side. “What happened? Is Logan okay?”

“Logan’s fine, he’s asleep upstairs... And I’m- fine,” she lied about the second part, barely able to speak with her voice shaky and while still crying.

“Is this about the campaign?” Sam tried sympathetically as she held the brunette. “I know it doesn’t feel fair, but it'll be alright.”

Fair? Kara had never played fair. If only Sam knew.

Lena simply kept on crying and Sam let her as she reached and held her in a hug. 

“You were right,” Lena let out between her tears as she cried on Sam’s shoulder. “You’ve always been right.” She tried to breathe through but the tears kept on coming. Guess she’d have to open this can of worms while ugly crying.

“About what?” Sam asked.

“Lex and Lillian never loved me, they betrayed me, Andrea betrayed me, and the moms at the school betrayed me and… everyone betrays me…”

“Lena, honey…” Sam tried to comfort her. She tried to offer Lena some soft drink she’d brought with her. Lena waved it off, she was quite nauseous.

Lena went on. “And even though I pretend I’m done being a certain way, I just keep attracting all these people that don’t care about me, and I keep trying to please them, and trying to be perfect, and acting in ways that I hate, thinking it’ll finally get me their approval… ”

Sam handed Lena a napkin from her bag to blow her nose and the brunette kept on ranting, “And I tried to hate her, out of some insane loyalty to my family, but I couldn’t, she just… she was supposed to be different, she made me feel different, like I didn’t have to try all the time… she made me think she cared about me and then she betrayed me too. Why would she do that? Why would she…” Lena was feeling lightheaded. 

Sam was trying to make sense of it all but she’d lost the common thread. “Who, Lillian?”

Lena cleaned her tears as they seemed to finally be coming to an end. “No, Kara.”

Sam frowned. “Kara?” Kara had made Lena think she cared about her? Kara had betrayed her? You were only betrayed by people you trusted, right? When had the blonde and brunette gotten so close? Last Sam had heard, Lena was scheming against Kara. What had Sam missed? 

Lena nodded as she blew her nose and wiped her face of all the tears. 

“I'm beyond puzzled,” her best friend said. 

Lena put a hand to her chest. It felt tight, and she was sweating in her pantsuit all of a sudden. She wanted to explain but, why was she sweating so badly?

“Lena, are you okay?” 

Lena couldn’t answer, she just felt her chest getting tighter, her breath shorter. She pressed her hand harder against her chest. 

“Shit, I think you’re having a panic attack,” Sam said. Sam grabbed Lena’s phone from the counter and quickly ran through it. “Where’s Kelly’s app? She has stuff for this,” she asked.

Lena had deleted it.

“For God’s sake, I’ll just call her,” Sam said as she pulled out her own phone from her bag. 

Lena wanted to stop her but she felt like she was suffocating, not enough air entering her lungs.

“Kelly, hi, I’m sorry to bother you, I’m having an emergency, I think Lena’s having a panic attack and I don’t know what to do,” Sam spoke on the phone.

Lena could barely process her surroundings. It felt like an eternity ago when she could breathe. Now, Kelly’s face was staring at her through Sam’s phone. Sam placed the phone on the floor against the counter where Lena could see Kelly clearly. And then got up and left the living room for some reason. 

“Hi Lena, it’s Kelly and I’m going to help you through this. You can do this, I know it doesn’t feel like it but it will pass and you will be okay,” Kelly assured her.

Her gentle and reassuring voice helped slightly.

“I want you to follow my instructions. Put one hand on your chest and another on your stomach. We’re going to take deep breaths and I want you to feel the air filling your abdomen first and then your chest, okay?”

Lena nodded and did as she was told. 

“Now, breathe in for 4 seconds,” Kelly said as she counted, “then hold your breath for 7seconds.” She counted once again out loud for Lena, “and now breathe out slowly for 8.”

Lena followed her lead.

“You’re doing great,” Kelly spoke, “we’re going to keep doing that, I’ll keep talking you through it and if it helps, try to imagine a happy place, a place where you feel at home, safe and calm, try to remember the sensations in your body of being in this place. It doesn’t have to be a real place or moment, just as long as it brings you peace.”

Kelly began counting for Lena’s breathing, and Lena tried to imagine her happy place. 

She thought of herself sitting on the couch in the yard, she saw Logan playing fencing with Dean at a short distance from her just as they had been in her memory. Kara was there too, but she imagined her sitting next to her, smiling, the blonde’s hand interlocked with hers. Lena imagined Kara leaning in and resting her forehead against hers. She could even smell her lavender hair so clearly. She could imagine Kara’s lips mouthing something that looked a lot like I love you. 

Some tears had fallen again, but she could breathe normally at least. Her happy place had brought her safety and a sense of calm, but it also hurt her deeply to recognize how badly she’d wanted something that she now knew she would never have. Something that she had pushed away from day one, even before this mess with Kara.

She took one last deep breath and sighed as she wiped her tears and opened her eyes. 

Sam was right there at her side, her hands placed in front and a little below Lena’s face. The lavender scent was coming from them. Her friend had disappeared in search of an essential oil at Kelly’s request so that Lena could breathe it in, and it could help her recover. 

Sam’s face was riddled with concern.

“Thank you,” Lena whispered and her friend smiled and sighed in relief, putting her hands down.

“Thank you, Kelly, I’m alright,” Lena assured the woman through the phone. 

Kelly smiled gently. “I’m glad.”

“I’m sorry to have bothered you so late,” Lena said, her breath still shaky. 

“No bother at all. I’m glad Sam called me. Alex was putting Esme to bed so you caught me at a good time. And as long as you’re okay, that's all that matters.”

Lena smiled at her kindness. “I’m alright, thank you.”

“Thank you Kelly,” Sam jumped in as she grabbed the phone. “You’re a literal life saver.” 

Sam said some other things on the phone, while Lena had begun to get up, picking the napkins she’d left on the floor and looking to grab some cleaning items for the bottle she’d dropped. She returned with said items after having washed her face just as Sam hung up with Kelly. 

Her friend began picking up the bigger glass pieces from the floor to help her out. Lena then mopped her floor and eventually vacuumed with a small portable vacuum in case of any glass shards. 

After it was over, she and Sam sat on the couch in the living room. Her friend had brought two glasses of water from the kitchen. 

Sam spoke first. “You know I love you right?”

Lena turned to her, “Yes,” she said, “But are you sure you don’t want to rethink that?”

“I’m sure. Now, can we start at the beginning? I’ve clearly been neglecting our friendship because I’m not up to date, so please tell me. I’m here now. Tell me everything.” 

“What’s there to say? You know what I did, Jess probably told you already, or maybe you don’t know. Even as I'm saying that, I'm thinking of all the shitty things I've done in the past few days and I don’t even know which I’m talking about. I am my mother’s daughter, that’s for sure. But I’m clearly a wreck right now so if you’re going to lecture me just please… don’t.”

Sam sighed. “I would never lecture you. Well, technically I do it all the time, but I mean right this second I won’t,” she said with a small smile. 

That got a miniscule smile from Lena. “I crossed a line. I did something I should never have done to another mom.”

“Okay, yeah, and I think we can both agree that there are some lines not worth crossing for things like PTA President.”

“Which is why I deserve to feel like absolute shit.”

“That’s not what I was going to say,” said Sam. 

“Then what?” questioned Lena. 

“I was going to say, first, that punishing yourself is useless, so please don’t,” she said as she rubbed Lena’s back caringly. “Second, do you remember how you were when we first met all those years ago?”  

Lena looked at her and raised her shoulders. 

“You were competitive and ruthless and worked yourself to the bone, not to mention you were cold and judmental and kind of a bitch,” reminded Sam. “Back then, you really were Lilian’s daughter. She had raised you to be like that, and you’d grown up surrounded by vicious people who were constantly trying to tear you down. It made perfect sense to me why you behaved the way you did,” then her voice softened, “but then you made a decision to be different, and you had Logan, and you changed.”

“I’m not so sure I have,” contested Lena, feeling guilty for everything she’d done recently. 

“You did,” insisted Sam. “You worked hard to change and you became a better person. And I just hate to see you spiraling back to those bad habits because of … what, exactly? A sash that says PTA President on it? I’ve never quite understood what you saw in that position.”

Lena sighed.

“And lastly,” Sam went on, “I was going to say that you should have left the kid out of it and just talked to Kara.”

Lena closed her eyes and buried her face in her hands. “I know. I was going to fix it today but then the campaign happened and I just lost it.”

“The campaign?” Sam nearly shouted out as if to point out that the campaign wasn’t worth any of this. But she composed herself and calmed down because she didn’t want to agitate Lena again. But she was frustrated. Sam couldn’t put her finger on whatever was really bothering Lena, on what was beneath this whole obsession with being PTA President and how Kara played into all this. “Honey, you don’t need me to be your moral compass. You already know what’s right. And as for the mistake, we’re only as good and moral as our last action. So you’re only one action away from being a good person again.”

“When did you get so wise?” Lena asked.

“I heard a philosophy podcast. And I’ve always been wise.”

“I don’t even know if I can fix it at this point. She’ll never forgive me.”

“Kara you mean? I’m just checking cuz I’ve been a little off point these days it seems.” 

Lena nodded, “yes, Kara. And it’s not your fault. I haven’t been honest with you, I haven’t wanted to talk to you because I… I don’t know, because of a lot of feelings. I should have probably come to you but I just couldn’t. And with Kara…it’s like I’ve been slowly unraveling since the day she showed up again, and all these feelings have been surfacing and I have zero control over them. It’s been driving me up the wall. And I just don’t understand why she would run against me, at least she could've told me, especially after…” 

“After what? Care to catch me up on Kara? On what I missed between you two? I thought you were dreading her presence, I had to force you to apologize to her.” It was time to dig in a little further on this whole Kara thing that had gotten interrupted by Lena’s panic attack. 

Lena sighed, “I was dreading it, and despite your objections, I did have a plan until… she kissed me, and we had sex. Two separate occasions. Well, there was obviously also kissing during the sex. And then she completely blindsided me with her campaign afterwards,” finally confessed. 

Sam was flabbergasted into a ten second silence. “I’m sorry, what?!”

“She blindsided me with-”

“You KNOW that’s not what I’m asking about,” Sam declared, sitting up straight.   

Lena let out a small sigh and sat up a little straighter as well. “I went over to apologize because of the interview, like you’d suggested,” she eyed Sam.

Sam pointed at herself as a question mark. “So it’s my fault?” She asked in exaggeration.

Lena let out a small smile and continued. “And then once there I accidentally dropped the frame of the article on my family. The one in the hall that she had the night of the party.”

“Yeah, I saw it. And shit, okay, subtle.”

“I’m the queen of subtlety,” Lena joked. “And I cut my hand on a glass and she tended to me even though it wasn’t a big cut. And then… then she kissed me, and I kissed her back.”

“Oh,” Sam said endearingly.

“And then I pushed away and told her it was a mistake.”

“Oh,” Sam now said more dryly. 

“And then she tried to talk to me about it after I was avoiding her, and we ended up having sex on a school desk while our kids played basketball. They won too by the way and we missed the winning basket that involved both our sons. Had to lie to Logan about that.”

“Oh,” Sam said in surprise as she took in the announcement. 

“And then what you already know, that she announced her campaign the same day she fucked me in the school and then had her party on the same night as mine. I mean what was that? Oh, and you should’ve seen her speech tonight, just big fuck you to me as a mom, basically,” Lena explained as she finally took some sips of water from the glass that Sam had brought. 

Sam frowned as she pondered Lena’s words. “She called you out tonight specifically?” 

“No, but she might as well have. Said I only cared about the bake sale and not making sure our kids are good people. I care about the kids okay!” she exclaimed. “Do you remember that year when a kid had a severe allergic reaction to a red fucking dye? They blamed it on me for not being vigilant enough. And Kara doesn’t know what that school looked like when I first joined, it was a fucking mess, and the only way I could get it to be better was running it like clockwork. Those moms think it’s fucking easy? They demanded it and I fucking gave them what they wanted, and now it turns out it’s not what they wanted? They can fuck off!”

“Okay, calm down, we don’t want another panic attack, deep breaths,” Sam put her hands on Lena’s shoulders and watched her breathe slowly. “And yeah, they can fuck off, I agree with that. It’s what I’ve been telling you for years . And about Kara’s speech, maybe she wasn’t talking about you Lena. I mean a lot of moms at the school are super fake and just as concerned about perfectly baked goods,” her friend tried to comfort. “So  maybe it was a big fuck you to all of them.”

Lena shook her head. “It didn’t feel like that.”

“So you think this was all a secret plan from the start, is that it? Kara outsmarted you?” Sam asked.

“Exactly. She came to take the one good thing in my life, the most important thing to me just to hurt me, the last Luthor that she couldn’t take down,” Lena said bitterly, repeating mother’s words verbatim.

“The most important thing?” repeated Sam in a question to emphasize the irrationality in that. “I’m pretty sure Logan is your most important thing, but you’re a little drunk so I’ll let that one slide. And if Kara was trying to bring you down, it’s a strange way of doing it.”

“No, it’s a perfect plan. Warm up to me and then steal my power, slowly pushing me to the sidelines and turning everyone against me, and ensuring I end up with nothing.”

“Lena, I never like to say this to a woman, but you are overreacting,” Sam told her. 

“So her behavior makes perfect sense to you, does it? Fucking me one day and running against me the next?” Lena begged for some clarity. 

Sam sighed. “Not exactly. But let's go back to the PTA President thing.”

“Okay. What about it? It keeps me around Logan, involved in his life, that’s why it’s important to me,” explained Lena. 

“You are already an involved mom. You go to all his games, you sit with him and ask him about his life, you train with him in different sports and you cook dinner with him, and that’s so much already. You don’t need to be there every second. He’s growing up, he’ll need his space, and in his teen years, trust me, so will you. And you’ll be there always to guide him,” said Sam. “Do you even like being PTA President?” she asked seriously. 

“Yes,” said Lena in a quick response.

“Really?” 

“Yes,” insisted Lena, sounding less confident now. 

“Okay, what do you love about it? What is it you do all day?” asked Sam waving her arm about as if to give Lena an imaginary board to lay it all out. 

“I…,” began Lena, thinking of what to say, “I prepare meetings, and organize school events, and oversee budgets and-”

“Nice try, Jess does that.”

“Well, I have those meetings and I choose the subjects-“

“And waste your talents and intelligence,” interrupted Sam.

“No,” Lena contested.

“Yes,” Sam pushed back. “Lena, I’m telling you that you don’t need this PTA bullshit, it’s a distraction from all the things you could be doing.”

“It is not! I need it!” Lena exclaimed. 

Sam closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay, can you explain to me why it’s so important? How does losing that mean ending up with nothing? Why do you need it? Help me understand.” 

“Because I had to earn the title, and I had to do it when I lost everything. It was the one thing that kept me going when everyone talked about me behind my back after the article broke.”

Sam’s eyes widened in an understanding that Lena wasn’t on page with. “So you anchored it.”

“What?” Lena was puzzled now. 

“Kelly taught me this thing. You associate an outside trigger to some emotional state. You anchor the meaning of something in your body or mind.”

Lena just stared at her, taking in the words, or trying to. “You said I was a little drunk, could you say it less wisely please?” 

Sam explained some more, “when you got the PTA Presidency, you were going through a lot because of the article and the trial. And the PTA Presidency gave you some sense of control, so you’ve anchored that feeling. Not having the presidency makes you feel out of control not because of some real power, but because of the time when you got it.”

Lena’s brows were furrowed. “So it’s about the timing?”

“Okay, Kelly can explain it way better, but yeah, basically,” Sam stated, taking a sip of her glass of water. 

“You’re probably right.” It made sense to Lena, something inside her felt like it lifted with Sam’s words. She owed Kelly twice as many flowers as Kara at this point, by unintentionally being her therapist.

“Yes! This is great news! This is a fucking breakthrough!” Sam let out, letting a loud breath out and feeling like they had accomplished something. “You should be glad!” 

“Glad?” blurted Lena grievously, “glad that Kara Danvers has once again come into my life to utterly ruin it? Glad that she showed up with her donuts, and her charming smile, and her flawless hair, and her perfect lips, and her insistence on my goodness, only to turn around and humiliate me!”

Sam raised a brow in another breakthrough. She had just found the missing piece of the Kara puzzle. It wasn’t about Logan. It wasn’t about being a bad mom. And it sure as hell wasn’t about being PTA president. None of that was why Lena was so devastated. 

“I’m actually relieved,” said Sam, her posture relaxing as she said that.

“Relieved?” said Lena as her eyes got teary, “I’m telling you that I’m devastated and you’re relieved?” 

“I just got why you’re so upset. And although I still think I’m right about the anchoring thing, this is so much more than that.” 

“What does that mean?” Lena asked, looking offended. 

“This was never about the campaign or the presidency. You have feelings for Kara Danvers!” proclaimed Sam.  

“No!” exclaimed Lena. “That’s absurd, it’s absurd. Completely absurd . I could never like Kara Danvers. She is responsible for destroying my family, putting them behind bars. I despise her, I loathe her deeply, I feel nothing but aversion and repulsion towards her deep in my gut.”

Sam was silent for a moment. “So you've fallen for her, huh?”

Lena groaned, “I’ve fallen so fucking hard for her and I’m furious about it!” she finally admitted to Sam and herself, nearly screaming. She turned to the hall in case she’d woken up Logan. She and Sam were quiet for a moment, but he didn’t show up. 

Then Sam nodded, “it figures you'd be a mess. But I’m so happy for you!”

Lena groaned and hid her head in her hands. 

Lena’s phone lit up just then. She peeked at it and sighed heavily and closed her eyes in frustration. “And that’s her right now. What does she want?” she cried out in exasperation. “To rub it in that she won? Why can’t she just leave me be?”

“You don’t actually want her to leave you be, do you?”  

“Oh, God. I fell for the reporter that ruined us. What would my family say?” asked Lena as she rubbed her forehead. 

“What family? The one that psychologically abused you for years? That family? Fuck your family,” said Sam instantly, “they’ve hurt you so much they don’t get a fucking say in your life. I’m your family and I’m telling you it’s okay that you have feelings for her. She kissed you first, didn’t she? She’s probably got some feelings for you too.”

“Then why would she run against me? Why would she launch her campaign party the same night as mine? And why would she have said those things about me in her speech?” asked Lena, hoping Sam would have an answer that would enlighten her as to Kara’s baffling behavior. 

“I don’t know. But you know how you can find out? Talking to her. Not screaming or fighting or secretly plotting her demise, just talking,” said Sam. 

Lena’s phone lit up again from some messages. Sam reached for it and scanned the screen.

“Is it her?” asked Lena. 

“Yes.” 

“What is she saying?”

“Lena, I think you need to read them,” Sam said as she handed her friend the phone. 

Lena took the phone and read them. 

“Go talk to her,” said Sam. “Not tonight cuz you’re a little drunk and unstable,” she said as she took the glass from Lena’s hand. “But tomorrow, after you’ve slept and eaten a good breakfast.”

Lena sighed. 

Sam patted Lena’s back. “Hey, worst case scenario, you’re right and it was all bullshit to win the PTA President position. And if it was, I’ll help you take her down. We will fucking destroy her. I’ll call a couple hitmen, we can probably get a Luthor discount if we say we know Lillian.”

Lena chuckled and eyed her friend. Sam went on, “But on the slim chance you’re wrong, I’ll keep my hopes up,” she said with a kind smile. “But you need to fix the weed stunt first, ASAP,” she added. 

“I know,” Lena answered. 

“Good. I know you know,” Sam said with a smile. 

“Logan’s going to Dean’s tomorrow, Kara’s house,” pointed out Lena. “He begged me for a sleepover before this whole campaign happened. He’s still going, assuming Kara doesn’t cancel.”

“That’s perfect. It’s exactly the opportunity you need. And I didn’t know you let Logan do sleepovers, she’s definitely made you soft,” said Sam, teasing.

“No she hasn’t,” said Lena in a mumble. Sam ignored it with a smile. 

Lena’s body visibly slumped from the exhaustion. It felt like the longest day.

“Go to sleep. Get some rest. You have tomorrow to be good again.” Sam helped Lena up to her bedroom, gave her a kiss on the head and left. 

---

 

Under Sam’s orders, Lena had gotten some sleep and eaten a good breakfast the next day. She felt slightly more balanced, but not much. 

Logan, on his end, was oblivious to everything and excited about going to Dean’s house. Lena hoped the blonde wouldn’t cancel the playdate. 

Sam had texted her early that morning to ask about her plans. She knew her friend wanted to check in on her and ensure that Lena went through with what they’d talked about. 

Lena gave her proof of life and affirmed that she intended to talk to Kara in good faith.

Sam then sent her a link to an article, but not just any article. It was Kara’s article from so many years ago, the one about her family. 

Sam: Have you read this in a while? I don’t want it to trigger you so please dissociate while you read it, but check it out again. I think it might help. [8:37 a.m.]

Lena took a breath. Why Sam thought it would help, she didn’t know. But these days Lena didn’t trust herself to make good decisions and she definitely trusted Sam with her life. So she took a moment to prepare herself, dissociate for good measure, and clicked the link. 

She read it several times. She almost couldn't believe her eyes. For starters, the article didn’t mention her except once, only to say that she had no current connections to her family as of the time of print, effectively exonerating her of all alleged Luthor crimes. And it was also not half as incriminating as she’d recalled it to be, nor a third as harsh or savage, nor a quarter as denunciatory as her family had framed it and as she thought she remembered it. 

In fact, now that she read it, the article was but the tip of the iceberg considering all that was uncovered with the following federal investigation. Lena would go as far as saying Kara had even been kind to her family, left some room for doubt and the possibility of innocence pending a proper investigation into the evidence she’d presented. Kara had simply done her job. She’d merely pointed a spotlight on something that had been hidden in the shadows.The rest had fallen into place as soon as that spotlight grew to illuminate all of her family’s criminal enterprises and acts. 

Lena had misremembered the whole thing. So many articles were written about her family afterwards and especially during the trial. The news coverage had been brutal, and the government itself had not been kind to Lena, but none of that was truly Kara’s fault. Lena realized her memory must have gotten distorted along the years, blemished by her family’s narrative and the media’s too. And she’d absorbed all the attacks at her family, she’d taken them so personally and she’d put all the burden on Kara. 

It didn’t go unnoticed to Lena that the day of print of many scathing articles were closely related to some PTA president thing she’d arranged that year, when she was desperate to win. She even remembered a series of tea parties, pool parties, and a number of other extravagant events she’d thrown just to fall in favor with the moms at the school. Just as Sam had said, she had anchored it all, and in the worst possible way. 

She took her phone out and texted her friend back. 

Lena: I didn't remember it like that.  [9:15 a.m.]

Sam: honestly, me either [9:15 a.m.]

Lena: I have to go talk to her [9:16 a.m.]

Sam: I’VE BEEN SAYING [9:16 a.m.]

Lena: Wish me luck [9:16 a.m.]

Sam: You don’t need it, just wear a low cut dress ;) [9:17 a.m.]

Sam: A very low cut dress just in case [9:17 a.m.]

Lena laughed at that one. It wasn’t a bad idea at all. 

Lena: What would I do without you? [9:17 a.m.]

Sam: remember that when I ask you to babysit Ruby next time. The babysitter is bleeding me dry. [9:18 a.m.]

Lena laughed again. 

Lena: Love you. I’ll let you know how it goes. [9:18 a.m.]

 

---

Lena stood in front of Kara’s door that night, at around 9:30 p.m. She was wearing a low cut black dress, as Sam had suggested. Her favorite. 

It had taken her all afternoon to decide whether it was a good idea to go or whether Kara would shut the door in her face, or perhaps not open it at all. That didn’t sound like Kara, but Lena had most likely exhausted the blonde’s good will at this point. In the end, she’d come anyway. She’d brought with her a box of donuts and potstickers, hoping they helped her case too. She was ready to have Kara tell her at best that she accepted her apology but wanted nothing to do with her for the rest of their time at school. It all seemed so immature now, only a day later; a day of good nutrition, sleep and hydration later. A day after processing her panic attack and her eye-opening conversation with Sam, as well as rereading the article after so many years. 

Wanting payback over something like a campaign, like being PTA president was irrational, the title was meaningless, Lena knew that deep down. She had given it so much importance, so much meaning. You don’t have to give the name so much power Kara had said. Lena hadn’t realized that advice was good for so many things. 

She finally got the courage to ring the bell.

Kara opened the door seconds later, surprised at finding Lena, but quiet at the sight. Had she been expecting someone else?  

Lena was forced to speak first. “Hi,” she swallowed.

“Hey.” Kara was wearing a white dress shirt and jeans, her hair tied up in a ponytail.

There was some silence. Lena couldn’t quite read Kara’s expression. “May I come in?” she asked with a shaky voice as she held the boxes and nearly crushed them from the tension she felt. Was this what it felt like to feel vulnerable, heart on her sleeve? It was god awful. 

“You know, if you want to come over you don’t have to keep starting a fight, then apologizing. You can just show up,” Kara said with a tiny smile. 

Lena appreciated the levity more than the blonde knew. It was very much like Kara to make things easy for Lena, even when Lena wouldn’t do that for herself. “I could do that?” she played along with a small smile of her own. 

The blonde’s smile grew for a moment. “Come in,” said Kara softly. 

Walking into the house felt like crossing a threshold to Lena. Her heels made the sound she loved and she counted the clicks in her head. She focused on her silhouette across the wooden floors to avoid looking at the blonde. She couldn’t say what she’d come to say anymore. Apologizing not only meant admitting what she’d done, but it meant having to hear a response from Kara. What if it wasn’t what Lena wanted to hear, but what she thought she deserved to hear? 

Kara led the way, and Lena glanced at the hall where the article used to hang. It wasn’t there any longer, and Lena felt herself release a breath at the knowledge. 

They were in the living room soon enough. And Lena half-dreaded the room now, the place Kara had kissed her the first time. It was all she could think about when she walked into it. She could only see the couch she had sat on, the chair Kara pulled to sit in front of her, the space where she was sure Kara had dropped the bottle of hydrogenated water that she heard topple over when she rushed after her. 

Lena carried the donuts and potstickers with sweaty hands, and as if Kara hadn’t noticed them previously, she suddenly made note of them. “Oh, I’m sorry, let me take that from you, you shouldn’t have,” she said kindly as she extended her arms and took the boxes from Lena and set them down on the table. 

Lena awkwardly tangled her fingers together, unsure where to start. “Are the boys having fun?” she asked. 

“Yeah, they’re upstairs, watching a movie. Should go to sleep soon,” answered Kara. 

“Good,” said Lena, filling in the silence. But the silence came nonetheless. “Thank you for not canceling on Logan. He would’ve been devastated.”

“Dean would have been too. Besides, it wasn’t his fault, I wouldn’t punish him for it.”

“It,” Lena repeated. “By which you mean…” She didn’t finish her sentence. They both knew what ‘it’ was. 

The silence took over once more.

“I got a call from Principal Burr earlier today. He told me someone called in and said that the weed in the locker was all a prank, so the case will be dismissed and Dean’s going to be reinstated,” said Kara.

This was the moment to apologize, Kara had given her an opening, but Lena couldn’t get the words to come out. Lena began counting the floorboards in a nervous flareup of her OCD.

So Kara spoke instead, thankfully changing the subject. “You look beautiful by the way. Did you have an event tonight or something?”

Lena took a sharp inhale as she glanced down at herself, nearly having forgotten what she’d been wearing. “No, I didn’t. I actually wore this because… I was hoping it would distract you.”

Kara’s brows shot up.

“Is it working?” Lena asked.

“A little.” 

Lena’s breath stuttered at the favorable response. “It’s not fair that you got to do all the flirting. I should return the favor- I mean, assuming it was flirting.”

“It was,” Kara confirmed.

Lena bit her lip at the answer. So she’d been right about the blonde hitting on her after all. 

“I um…” the blonde swallowed, “I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable that day at the school, when we… well, you know…”

Lena furrowed her brows and looked up. Why would Kara have made her uncomfortable? If anything Kara had made her very comfortable.

“I didn’t know about your OCD,” the blonde continued.

“Oh, no,” Lena quickly replied, “I wasn’t uncomfortable, you didn’t make me uncomfortable at all. You made me… the opposite of that.”

Kara nodded, relieved. “Good. I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable. Or to think I do that a lot. I hadn’t really slept with anyone in a long time, over a year really.” The blonde offered up the information without inquiry from Lena. 

“What about William?” Lena said right away, unthinkingly. This opening she wanted to take advantage of, because she had to be sure. Even though she was not jealous and it would have been fine if Kara had slept with him. 

“I didn’t sleep with William. I told you he wasn’t my type.”

Thank God, Lena nearly said aloud. It was a complete lie, it would have been the furthest thing from fine if Kara had slept with William. And she was most certainly jealous up until Kara’s response. She was so relieved.

“I hadn’t slept with anyone either.” Shoot . That was another lie. This one she’d said aloud. Lena hadn’t meant to lie. She’d wanted it to be the truth, but for a moment, she’d forgotten about Roulette. “Wait, no. Actually I…slept with someone a little while before that.” 

Kara swallowed. “You and… Andrea? You were together?” 

“No. Yes.” Lena sighed. Fuck. Out of all things to talk about, Andrea was at the bottom ten. Roulette and William too. Why were these the topics of conversation? She couldn’t imagine this was headed somewhere better.  

“It’s none of my business,” Kara jumped in. 

“It’s okay. No, it wasn’t Andrea who I slept with. It was an old friend from university who I called up… the night you and I kissed.”

“Oh,” was all Kara said. 

Lena hoped she understood. She hadn’t wanted to have sex with Roulette at all. She’d wanted Kara. “I didn’t really enjoy it at all,” she admitted. 

“Why not?” Kara asked. 

“I couldn’t stop thinking.”

“Been there,” Kara said. “When I was married,” she further explained.  

Lena let out a breath. She’d hoped Kara would have asked what she'd been thinking about, so Lena could finally tell Kara she’d only thought about her nonstop. But the blonde hadn’t ventured that far into Lena’s privacy. 

Lena continued to elucidate. “And yes, Andrea and I dated in university, and after we graduated for some years. Too long, if you ask me, especially considering that she outed me and I still stayed with her.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you. But anyway, after I ended it, that was it. We haven’t been together since. And I would never go back to her, she’s the last person on my mind when it comes to anything romantic.”

“The last person?” Kara asked with a tiny smile forming.

“Yes,” Lena affirmed, “without a doubt.”

Kara stepped closer. “And the first?”

Lena was dazed by the question. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Not really, no.”

“I thought you could see right through me,” Lena spoke as she felt her heart thundering. 

“Sometimes I can. And then others, I can’t tell what you’re thinking,” Kara said as she stepped even closer, leaving less than a foot between them.

“Do you want to know what I’m thinking about right now?” Lena asked as she looked right at Kara’s lips and stepped into the blonde’s space.

Kara shook her head, her eyes mesmerized by Lena as she slowly leaned in. 

“I’m thinking that you’re really close to me and yet it’s not close enough,” Lena whispered as she felt Kara’s heavy breath on her lips.

Kara finally closed the distance between them and kissed her.

Much like their first time, Lena couldn’t help but moan softly. Her hands went to Kara’s neck and she held the blonde in place as she kissed her back. Kara moaned at the touch and pressed her whole body against Lena’s. Lena wanted so much that it nearly overwhelmed her. 

Kara pulled back gently, her forehead rested against Lena’s. “Lena we should-”

“Please,” Lena begged as she pulled Kara closer, “please, I just need… this, now. Can we just… pretend?” pretend all this hadn’t happened, pretend Lena hadn’t crossed a line she couldn’t uncross, pretend Kara could want her after it all, pretend they still had a chance. “Just for a while,” she implored. She’d give absolutely anything to kiss Kara again, to have her for a moment longer before having to let her go.  

Lena reached in closer to Kara’s lips again, barely brushing them, not allowing herself to go any further without Kara’s consent. 

“For a while.” It was Kara who closed the gap, kissing Lena deeply, sucking back on her bottom lip. 

Lena could hardly believe it, but she was beyond grateful as she kissed back with everything she had. Could a kiss express her remorse? Her longing for something other than what had happened? 

Kara waited no longer before bending her knees and wrapping her arms around Lena to lift her from the ground. 

Lena let out a tiny squeak of surprise as she found herself in Kara’s arms swiftly and smoothly. She pulled the blonde’s lips to her own as quickly as she could.

Kara carried her across the living room and to the hall where Lena led her tongue into her mouth. It nearly made Kara’s knees crumble and she ended up pushing Lena against a wall in the hall for support. It was in the exact same spot where her article had hung and which was now thankfully empty, or else Lena might have broken the frame yet again. 

Lena groaned into her mouth from the push, melting any worries Kara had had about pushing too hard.

Lena pulled back for a second. “What about the kids?”

“I told them I'd treat them like adults, that they could stay up until 10:30 at most, then they should go to sleep. I don’t think they’ll bother us.”

“Okay,” Lena was more than happy with that answer and she pulled Kara back into a deep kiss. “Bedroom, please.”

Kara strengthened her grip on Lena and carried her the rest of the way to the bedroom lest they get caught right now in the hall. 

Kara walked her through the bedroom door, setting her down on the floor. Lena shut the door behind Kara, locked it, and pushed the blonde against it, kissing her deeply. 

She wanted the blonde to touch every part of her. She wanted to put her face in Kara’s hair and absorb her scent. She wanted their bodies to be as close as possible, the warmth to envelop her. She wanted to drown in everything that was Kara. 

Every thought was overtaken by this. There was nothing but Kara and only Kara. No compulsion to carry out. No obsession. No anxiety. No overthinking. No OCD.

Just Kara.

And the more Lena gave, the more Kara did. The blonde pulled her closer and kissed her with desire that Lena couldn’t believe was as strong as hers. 

All this time trying to be perfect, but Lena had never understood what it meant at all. It wasn’t about something being flawless, it was about the right feeling, the right timing, the transcendence. It was this. It was being with Kara and feeling so right, feeling loved, desired in a way that was spiritual and divine. And all Lena wanted was to give all that right back to Kara, to make her feel right, and make her feel just as desired and loved. And if she did it right, then she’d finally achieve perfection. 

Lena was in a rush to get there, but the blonde pulled back for a moment. 

“Slow down, I want us to enjoy this,” she said, breathlessly.

Lena shook her head. “I… don’t want you to change your mind.”  

“I won't,” Kara assured her as she held Lena’s face in her hands. “Slow down. I want this with you,” she repeated again just as softly, reassuring Lena, as she breathed slower. 

Lena mimicked her and began breathing a little slower too, letting their desire settle into a calmer pace. 

Kara’s fingers gently made their way to the top of Lena’s zipper and slowly started pulling down on the metal. After she reached the end of the trail, Kara gently pulled on Lena’s dress, uncovering her strapless brassiere and black lingerie. 

Kara pulled back to observe the brunette, her pale skin making a great contrast with the dark color of her underwear.

“Wow,” Kara breathed. “Just in case the dress wouldn’t work on me you made sure to wear that underneath, huh?” she teased.

Lena bit her lip, feeling exposed but loving every moment of it, wanting even to be exposed further in a strange new feeling. 

Lena went to reach back to undo her brassiere but Kara reached for her to stop. 

“Not yet,” she whispered to Lena. “I’ll get to it.”

Lena was calmer for sure, but her breathing started to pick up pace again at the sound of Kara’s confidence and the prospect of just moments into the future being absolutely naked and entwined with her. 

Kara moved closer and palmed Lena’s breasts over the fabric, making her gasp. The thin veil between them couldn’t hide Lena’s hard nipples and it thankfully wasn’t too thick a barrier between her skin and Kara’s. 

“You are so beautiful,” Kara said to her as she ran her thumb over Lena’s nipple. 

Lena whimpered and closed her eyes, her hands reached for the collar of Kara’s dress shirt and pulled her closer. Gosh, Kara looked good in it. 

The blonde slowly leaned into Lena’s neck, pressing gentle kisses on her and then following them with small bites. Lena stretched it to give Kara all the space in the world. 

She felt Kara’s smile on her neck and heard a light chuckle. “There it is again,” Kara said, “that beautiful sound.”

What sound? Again? Had Lena moaned? She hadn’t heard herself, too entranced by the moment.  

Kara sucked on Lena’s neck. A little harder and it would certainly leave a mark and yet Lena wanted it to.

“And again,” Kara spoke.

“No,” Lena said haughtily, “that was a groan of complaint,” she lied terribly. 

Kara shushed her with a kiss on her lips as the blonde slowly traced her fingers down Lena’s neck, to her collarbone, down between her breasts to her stomach, leaving goosebumps along the way. 

“I’d do anything for you right now, just tell me what you want, and I’ll do it,” Kara said after she pulled back from kissing her. 

So much to ask. There was so much Lena wanted that she could hardly voice it all at once. 

“I want to feel you. But can you take everything off but this?” Lena asked as she gripped harder on the woman’s shirt. 

Kara nodded and began unbuttoning her shirt. Lena helped, her fingers shaking and taking much longer to unfasten the buttons because of the anticipation. 

Once the shirt was unbuttoned, Lena immediately reached for Kara’s abdomen, feeling every inch of skin she could get her hands on from the front to all the way to Kara’s back. She didn’t mind Kara’s sports bra when the blonde had a lot of other things that Lena would gladly spend her attention on. 

Going slower was much more appealing to Lena than it had been minutes ago. The intimacy multiplied with every minute they took to properly discover each other. 

Kara undid the button of her pants as Lena watched. The room was quiet except for both of their breathing, and it somehow sounded like music to her. Lena pushed her fingers on the inside of the belt loop helping the blonde push the pants and boxers down her legs. They were as beautiful as Lena remembered; muscular, strong, the tiny blonde hairs from being recently shaved growing back now. She caressed the outside of Kara’s thighs with both hands before looking up to the blonde. 

“What else do you want?” Kara asked. 

“Do you have a strap-on?” Lena replied.  

The blonde stopped to think about it. It reinforced Kara’s words about not having done this in a while, and it made the brunette feel more comfortable with this. She hadn’t had this kind of real intimacy in years, Roulette didn’t even compare and Lena had been slightly nervous about it all, but not anymore. 

“Yes,” Kara answered breathily. 

“And a condom?” 

“I haven’t used the strap-on with anyone in a while. It’s clean,” Kara affirmed.

“I want to put the condom on you anyway.”

“Fuck, okay. Hold on.” The blonde hurried to her closet and Lena waited for her patiently. She heard some things being moved around and Kara grunting for a second and something that sounded a lot like tripping, which Lena found funny.

When Kara was back, she was wearing the strap-on already and held the condom in her hand. “These things don’t expire, right?” Kara asked. 

Lena smiled and took it gently, opened the pack with her mouth and pulled out the rubber. She then got on her knees and wet her lips as she looked up at Kara, waiting for her to get closer. Lena didn’t get on her knees for just about anyone, this was a type of  surrender that she needed to do for Kara. She hoped the blonde could see it. 

The blonde advanced slowly to end up right in front of Lena, her strap-on at the level of Lena’s head nearly. Lena reached for the dildo and teased it with her fingers, tracing the shaft all the way to the tip. 

Kara breathed heavily as she watched Lena. Her eyes were dark and focused.

Lena then grabbed the condom and proceeded to slowly cover the dildo with it. And after she was done, Lena leaned forward and took the cock into her mouth as far back as she could. She pulled her head back and then forward a few times, slowly and steadily. Kara groaned at the sight. “Fuck, if you could see how sexy you look right now.”

Lena smiled at the words and then proceeded to suck on the tip of Kara’s cock a few times. She then stuck her tongue out and twirled it around the tip. 

“Get off your knees, I need to touch you, right now,” Kara commanded. 

Lena pulled her head back, and got off her knees as told. Kara’s confident words went through her like electricity. 

Then Kara reached for Lena’s hips and teased at the skin right where it met her underwear. Lena clenched at the touch. She was so close to begging the blonde to strip her naked, but the torture was too delicious to rush now. She’d do this at Kara’s pace.  

Kara finally used her thumbs to push Lena’s underwear down, and then she sat back on the bed, and eagerly pulled Lena onto her lap. Lena was still wearing her brassiere, and Kara her sports bra and white dress shirt. 

The brunette opened her legs to straddle Kara and the blonde pulled her in for a kiss. Lena eagerly let her tongue swirl inside the blonde’s mouth, tasting Kara as best she could. Normal people weren’t supposed to taste so sweet, but here she was, Kara, so sweet it could give Lena a toothache. 

The blonde held on to Lena’s ass and began urging the brunette’s hips against her crotch. Lena took the guidance and began rubbing against the blonde’s cock, wetting it with her cum. Lena fisted Kara’s hair and she pulled her impossibly closer, her lips determined to keep in touch with Lena’s despite the blonde’s glasses, which bumped against Lena.

When Lena had a good grip on the blonde, Kara took her chance to feel Lena’s body. Her hands ran through the brunette’s skin, from her thighs to her hips, to her ass, caressing and squeezing firmly. 

Lena’s hands let Kara’s hair loose from the ponytail, letting it fall and release the scent of lavender she so craved. She pulled back from the kiss and led her hands to Kara’s glasses to remove them. 

“Is this okay?” she asked before taking them off. 

Kara nodded and Lena put them aside on the bed, and returned to their lips having to be joined by absolute necessity. 

Kara then went lower to Lena’s breasts. She squeezed and kissed and Lena gave herself completely to Kara’s tender but eager touch. 

“I want to make you feel so good, tell me how I can do that,” Kara whispered up into her ear. 

She was already making Lena feel beyond good, she wanted to say, but then again, Lena hadn’t asked for that strap-on for nothing. “Put your cock inside me, please,” she begged. 

The blonde nodded and helped position the dildo for Lena, “push down against me,” Kara ordered and Lena happily obliged, pushing her hips down and allowing the strap-on to very slowly slide into her entrance. 

A loud moan with closed eyes escaped them both when Kara felt how easily it penetrated her. 

After patiently letting Lena adjust, Kara held the brunette’s hips firmly and encouraged their movement back and forth. Lena held on to Kara’s shirt with one hand, and her back beneath the fabric with the other. 

They let themselves get lost in the rhythm, their bodies moving together in perfect alignment. Lena let her head fall back and Kara showered her neck and collarbone in affection so long as it was exposed. 

Lena could hear herself moan now, it was difficult not to when it overtook the quiet of their breathing. She could also hear herself whimper and gasp, all for Kara. 

Lena gripped the blonde harder, she was seconds away from finishing when she felt Kara shift. Lena stopped her movement reluctantly. The blonde pulled out of her and without a word, raised Lena and flipped them over the bed. Before Lena could complain, her back was against the bed and Kara was on top of her, kissing her neck once more, the blonde’s hair cascading on Lena’s skin. 

“I’m going to mark you,” Kara spoke ardently into her neck. “I’m going to make sure every time you see yourself in the next couple of weeks, you think of me.”

Lena clenched so hard she thought she’d orgasmed. “Please,” she moaned, over and over. She didn’t even care if Kara left bruises where they’d be seen. She’d parade herself around the school and show everyone frankly. But Kara was mindful and she bit harder where Lena could still cover it up. 

“Tell me if I hurt you,” Kara said down by her breasts, where she finally got rid of Lena’s bra. 

Lena only whimpered in response. In no way was she going to complain about pain. Lena could take it, she enjoyed it probably far more than Kara would venture to push. 

The harder Kara bit, the louder Lena moaned yeses. Kara took her time on Lena’s breasts, tasting her nipples and expertly teasing them with her tongue. The blonde took just as long on Lena’s stomach and thighs before returning up, satisfied after she’d left the brunette with several souvenirs. Then she placed her cock between Lena’s legs once more, and the brunette pushed her hips up in a desperate request. 

Kara once again sank into Lena’s cunt and returned to a comfortable rhythm on top of her. Lena groaned and pulled on Kara’s shirt from the sides, ensuring the blonde would remain close to her.   

Lena adored every part of it, the heat of Kara’s body, the pressure, the push, the sound of her wet cunt being filled, Kara’s hair over hers, their lips touching every so often.

Lena felt her orgasm build up and she was caught in a state of never wanting this to end and desperately wanting to come. 

“I’m so close,” she whimpered to Kara. 

“Hold back,” Kara commanded with a voice so low Lena almost came again if it weren’t for her desire to please the blonde. 

“Please Kara, please,” Lena begged her, her legs wrapping around the blonde’s hips. 

Kara groaned at Lena’s enticing plea. 

While the blonde’s hands were previously to Lena’s sides, she now shifted them and grabbed Lena’s hands and pinned them above her head by interlocking them with hers, not once stopping her tireless thrust into Lena in a cadence so infuriating that it had the brunette reeling. 

“I want you to hold back your orgasm until you can’t take it any longer,” Kara spoke.

Lena groaned and whimpered again. Kara was most certainly punishing her. But if this was Lena’s penance, she’d happily atone. 

She held onto Kara’s hands, squeezing hard as she tried to stop herself from coming, but the orgasm kept building and building. As if recognizing the impending climax, Kara lowered both their hands so they were next to Lena’s head and pressed her body harder against Lena, ensuring their near impossible closeness, a joining of their bodies in a most loving way. She opened her eyes and looked at Lena, made her see that she was right there with her. 

Every touch, every feel, every emotion inside Lena’s body, every stimulus coming from Kara, from the scent of her hair, to her heavy breathing, to her skin against Lena’s was heavenly. And this was the moment that Lena chose to anchor, so she’d never forget it again. So that this moment with Kara and its every detail were forever imprinted in her brain as what it felt like to be completely in loving bliss. 

Lena’s legs wrapped around Kara began trembling. She held onto the blonde so desperately as Kara kissed her over and over as Lena moaned her name between each kiss until she finally broke into waves and waves of delightful release, in what was the longest and strongest orgasm she’d ever had. Her body tensed several times over, uncontrolled by her, until her every limb released its grip and let itself relax into the comfortable bed while Kara watched every second of it. 

“Fucking hell,” Lena breathed out. She wanted to reach up and kiss Kara, but she felt she had no strength. 

The blonde, as if reading her mind, leaned down to kiss her softly. 

Lena was nearly spent. “So you finally made me come,” she pestered.

“Hey! You're the one that pulled back at the school!” Kara countered as she slowly and gently pulled out of Lena. 

“The game interrupted us,” Lena justified, her words almost coming out slurred from how relaxed she felt.

Kara chuckled.

“Truth be told I did come but I was cut right in the middle,” Lena admitted. 

“No more stopping your orgasm right in the middle,” Kara said as she kissed her again, “maybe I'll interrupt right before to edge you, but never in the middle.”

“Like you did now?” Lena asked. 

Kara raised a quick brow, “you caught that, huh?”

“Yes I did. You made me work for my orgasm.”

“I’m pretty sure I did most of the work,” Kara pestered, her chest still heaving. 

Lena found some strength again and limply shoved Kara. “I will repay the favor, I promise.”

“You don’t have to, if you’re too spent.” 

“Oh, don’t worry, this sort of exercise can reinvigorate me. Except I plan on using a different method,” Lena said as she began to sit up. “One I’m very good at,” Lena said as she licked her lips slowly and caught them between her teeth as her eyes made their way down Kara’s body.

Kara licked her lips as well when she understood. She adjusted and laid back next to Lena. 

Lena leaned in to kiss Kara gently. “The next time I kiss you, you’ll taste yourself too,” she said in a purr as she kissed down Kara’s chest, over the fabric of her bra and down her abdomen, licking her abs with the tip of her tongue and then making it to the strap on. 

Lena took a taste of herself on the cock and Kara gasped at the view. The brunette then proceeded to remove the strap on. 

Kara swallowed as she opened her legs.

Lena ran her short nails over Kara’s mound and the inside of her legs, making Kara release a fascinating moan and throw her head back.

Kara was utterly soaked. Her cunt glistened and pulsated before Lena had even touched it. It was the most enticing and inviting thing Lena had ever seen. 

She lowered her mouth onto Kara’s pussy and pulled at her labia with her teeth. 

Kara groaned and gripped the sheets tightly. 

Lena could see how engorged her clit was, so ready for her tongue. But if Kara had her fun, Lena could also. She ran her teeth gently over the bud, making Kara shudder and gasp. Kara was so sensitive that Lena might not be able to tease as much as she wanted, but either way, she’d get the ultimate reward just from watching her come undone. 

She traced the tip of her tongue slowly from Kara’s center all the way up to her clit. The blonde moaned Lena’s name in complaint. It was barely what she needed. Lena wanted Kara to beg her, but damn it the blonde was practiced in patience. It was Lena who couldn’t wait any longer and she grabbed the blonde’s thigh and leaned into Kara’s cunt, giving her what they both wanted. 

Kara moaned the brunette’s name again and Lena was weak to the sound. She pressed her tongue against Kara’s clit, flicking it and rolling against it, and giving Kara absolutely everything she had to give. 

She took her fingers to Kara’s entrance and teased at it, stroking at it without going in, her tongue still on Kara’s clit, now a little more gently. 

“Go ahead, push them in,” Kara allowed. 

Lena took the direction and pushed two of her fingers inside Kara’s soaking pussy. 

The blonde suffocated a louder moan and threw her head back hard. She began an urgent hip movement, pushing into Lena’s face. 

Lena moaned and hummed into Kara’s clit when her fingers penetrated her folds, delighting in the tight feel of them. 

Kara’s hand found Lena’s head and she gripped at her hair, a silent demand for her not to stop. Not that Lena had any plans to. Kara had willpower of steel when she’d been teasing Lena before. Lena couldn’t say she had the same. Right now, all she wanted was for Kara to come. 

She looked up at Kara, who was watching her intently. Lena’s hand searched for the blonde’s free hand and when she found it, she interlocked their fingers together. Kara held on tightly back. 

Lena’s tongue was beginning to tire but there was no way she was stopping now. Her fingers were slipping into Kara’s folds so easily and she could hear the sound of them so clearly even with Kara’s louder moans now filling the room just how hers had been a while ago. 

Lena bent her fingers inside Kara while her tongue rolled over her bud. She could tell Kara was so close, and just then, Kara’s moans cracked as she came into Lena's mouth. Kara came more quietly than Lena, but her body made sure to express its release, her hips jerking against the brunette’s face. Lena slowed her fingers and placed a gentle kiss on Kara’s clit before moving lower to lap up the stronger juice which continued to flow out of Kara’s pulsating pussy.

“Lena,” Kara breathed out as she released the strong grip she had on the brunette’s hair and hand. “I’m sorry if I gripped too hard,” she immediately followed up with. 

Lena smiled as she wiped her mouth and made her way up Kara’s body. It was so adorable that the blonde worried about her. “I can take more pain than you think. And should you be inclined to try, you’d find I do enjoy quite a bit of it in bed.”

Kara grinned at her, her chest returning back to normal, far quicker than Lena’s had after she’d orgasmed. Lena was a little jealous that Kara was in such better shape than her. She’d need to start working on, or even better, she’d have to make sure to find some way to ensure that Kara was just as spent as she was after sex. 

But for now, she was content. Kara seemed relaxed and fulfilled. 

“As promised,” Lena said as she leaned to kiss Kara, ensuring the blonde could taste herself. 

“God, you are sexy,” Kara breathed into her lips. 

Lena grinned at the words. When Kara said things, she had a tendency to believe them. 

Kara sat up for a moment and removed her dress shirt, which was quite wet from sweat at this point. And then she removed her sports bra.

“Here,” Kara stretched a little to reach her nightstand where she had a large bottle of water, “drink some water. You’ve looked thirsty all night and now you’ve lost a lot of fluids,” she smirked as she handed the bottle to Lena.

Lena bit her lip and shook her head at the silly joke. But she really was thirsty. Kara drank after her, and began lowering the sheets for her and Lena to get beneath. 

Lena excused herself to the bathroom at the same time, returning a couple minutes later.

“You’re staying, right?” Kara asked with such gentle eyes that no amount of resolve could get Lena to reject her. 

“Yes,” said Lena as she stepped back into the room and into the bed. 

Kara grinned at the response and she got under the covers. Kara laid back as she’d been before, her body leaning towards Lena, as if open to her comfort.

Lena found herself drawn to it automatically, as if she’d done this a hundred times before. She got under the covers and laid against Kara as the blonde held her gently. 

Lena pressed soft kisses on Kara’s chest and collarbone and the blonde caressed her gently.

Lena had never felt so comfortable in someone else’s arms. “I’ve never been this happily exhausted.”

Kara chuckled. “What can I say, that dress really worked.”

Lena laughed at that. “Sam’s idea. Remind me to thank her. And to think I also got donuts and potstickers, all for nothing.”

Kara laughed this time as she switched to playing with Lena’s hair and gently massaging her scalp. 

They lay there quietly. Kara kept looking at her. And Lena couldn’t handle it, the butterflies in her stomach, the warmth in her chest, the way her whole body felt so alive. All because of one look.

She rested her head on Kara’s chest to avoid looking at the blonde even though it was like fireworks. But she worried she’d say something she shouldn’t, or maybe she should. So instead she kept quiet so the moment wouldn’t end. She and Kara still had a lot to talk through. But for now, they could just be. Lena wasn’t exactly sure how long ‘a while’ lasted, but she prayed it at least lasted all night. 

She focused on Kara’s calm breathing for now, which was apparently the equivalent of rain for sleeping. 

---

Lena woke up with a streak of light in her face. Between the closed curtains (which Kara must have gotten up to close during the night), a little space was left that the fabric hadn’t covered and the sun went through. It was barely light out. 

She hadn't spent the night at anyone’s in years. Even when Logan didn’t factor in (which he always did), she had no interest in ever spending the night at someone’s or having anyone stay over at her place, Roulette or anyone else for that fact. Yet here she was, laying in Kara’s bed, barely covered by her sheets, the morning after a most wonderful night of sex. Or making love. It felt more like the second, but that was probably because Lena was already in too deep.  

Lena sat up on the left side of the bed, terrified about what would happen today. She and Kara hadn’t actually talked anything through, but the tension between them had made that near impossible. Now that they’d finally gone to bed, Lena wasn’t sure anything she had to say would be an acceptable apology. She wasn’t sure Kara should forgive her. 

Sam would tell her to stop chastising herself, to enjoy the moment, but she was absolutely petrified that the blonde would reject her after all this. It was best to leave to avoid a direct confrontation, Lena couldn’t deal with that. Kara probably wanted her gone by now too anyway.   

And just as she was about to stand, she felt Kara put a hand on her waist. Lena closed her eyes at the sense of touch that she made her so soft she could never admit to anyone. 

She heard as Kara shuffled in the bed and moved closer to her. “Lena,” Kara whispered. Simply her name, but something left unsaid. 

Had Kara sensed Lena’s own push to leave? Lena looked down, the feel of Kara’s hand was enough to keep her glued to the bed for days. 

A simple touch and her body lost the will to leave though her brain was fighting back, to little avail. She couldn’t think as clearly when Kara touched her, and her common sense was fading away as the blonde got up and wrapped her right arm around Lena’s waist from behind and her left hand found its way up to Lena’s jaw from the front, to lift it so Kara could kiss her neck. 

Lena breathed out in an almost sigh, already feeling the heat between her legs. She moaned as she felt a bite, and without a thought, she raised her right arm to grab Kara’s head and she turned to her right to meet her in a kiss. So much for leaving. 

---

Lena felt a chill go through her body after a small breeze snuck in through the semi closed windows a couple hours later. She’d gotten another hour of sleep after she and Kara had made love yet again during the sunrise. 

As she reached down to pull the sheet on top of her, she felt Kara’s hand slide from her side to her stomach and the blonde pushed against her from behind. Kara grabbed the sheet and covered them both before returning her hand to Lena’s stomach. 

Lena relished in Kara’s heat, but hated how much she wanted it because it only got harder to let go. 

She felt a small kiss on the nape of her neck and a tear almost rolled down her eye. 

“Good Morning,” Kara spoke softly. 

Lena turned to face her, leaning her body on top of Kara’s. “Good morning” she answered back, smiling unconsciously. 

Kara smiled widely at her. 

“I should...” Lena began saying she should probably leave. How could she let it all go if Kara insisted on looking at her like that? Lena couldn’t go on like this. She couldn’t allow herself to feel this infatuated, this transparent, this-

Whatever thought she had was gone as Kara gave her a quick peck on the lips.

“Breakfast! Right. We should get up to eat some. The boys are probably up already. Pancakes! I’m craving pancakes,” Kara said energetically. 

Kara shuffled to rise while not looking away from the brunette. Halfway through the blonde groaned and fell back to the bed, “You make it very difficult to get out of bed Luthor. Just to be clear I’m using every ounce of self-restraint here,” she said with a smile. 

Lena could almost feel a blush on her cheeks, she choked up a little, “then don’t get out of bed. Stay a while longer,” she asked softly. She had no idea where she got that from. It was ridiculous and she was about to embarrass herself as Kara simply continued to get up. Breakfast had to be made after all. The boys were probably hungry though she didn’t even know if they were awake. More importantly, Lena had to leave because this wasn’t real. They’d put it all on pause. ‘A while’ didn’t mean forever.

Kara beamed at the words, “then I’ll stay a little while longer”, she answered as she settled back on the bed and pulled Lena towards her. Lena was stunned. Kara had stayed? Because she wanted to stay with Lena? Could she just ask someone to stay and they would? Was it as simple as that? She didn’t know that was possible. 

Kara laid gazing upon her and Lena felt herself getting more enamored by the blonde every second. She tried to distract herself by focusing on the tiny details of the blonde like the little scar between her brows. 

Then they heard a sound coming from outside. The boys were definitely awake. Kara got up from the bed reluctantly and with another groan of complaint. “Yeah, they’re definitely up.” She turned to Lena. “Would you like to use the bathroom first?”

Lena shook her head, “No, go ahead.”

“Okay,” said the blonde with a smile.

Kara went in and washed up. Lena got up out of bed, and reached for her brassiere on the floor and put it on. Then she rushed to search for her misplaced underwear and found it just seconds before she heard the bathroom door open. Kara came out with some pants and loose shirt pajamas. “Here, I got you some clothes,” smiling as she looked at Lena in her underwear. Her eyes did an unmistakable glide up and down the brunette’s body. 

“Oh, that’s alright, I’ll just wear what I came in last night,” Lena responded as she shily reached for her dress from the floor. Could Kara stop looking at her like that? It made it impossible to think. 

“Really, it’s okay. Besides, I doubt that dress is comfortable for breakfast,” Kara said as she held her hand out with the pajamas. 

“Well, the boys might get the wrong idea,” Lena resisted, though the pants looked ridiculously comfortable.

“We’ll tell them that we stayed up last night talking and it got very late and I didn’t want you driving home alone. And it’s only fair that I give you some clothes to spend the night, you are my guest after all,” defended Kara. “And full disclosure, if you put that dress back on, I don’t think I’ll resist the temptation to take it off again. It is more than just distracting,” said the blonde with a wide smile. 

“Oh, it was never meant to distract you,” Lena teased. 

Kara walked closer to her, “Oh no? So you lied about it yesterday?”

“Mhm,” Lena nodded as she put the dress down and began wearing the pajamas Kara had given her. “It was a little less of a distraction and a little more of a seduction.”

Kara grinned and bit her lip as Lena put the shirt on. “Well seduce me it did.”

Lena raised a brow and with a smirk made her way to the bathroom. She took a breath once inside. Why she was keeping up this charade she didn’t know. It was evident to her that Kara wouldn’t forgive her once Lena plainly admitted what she’d done, regardless of the supplication that would follow. She nearly hated how easy it was for Kara to make her feel like it was already all in the past. 

“I left a toothbrush out for you. And some slippers so you aren’t barefoot,” Kara called out from the bedroom as Lena washed up and brushed her hair. 

Lena looked at the bathroom countertop and there it was, a new green toothbrush with its own cover. She wondered idly why Kara had even bothered opening a new toothbrush if Lena was only going to use it this once. Lena had one in her bag anyway but she hadn’t had the time to tell Kara. She found herself reaching for the new toothbrush just the same. 

She grabbed Kara’s toothpaste, opened it, put it on the brush and began the ritual even though breakfast was to follow. Soon after, she stepped out to find Kara waiting for her, sitting on the bed. 

She looked so beautiful in just shorts and a white top with the sun caressing her golden hair, and Lena made an audible sigh that made Kara smile. 

“Shall we go? I think I hear the boys in the kitchen,” Kara stated as she stood. 

“You want us to go together?” Lena asked nervously. 

“Yeah, might as well.”

“Kara, I know we need to talk but…” Lena didn’t even know what she was going to say, ‘let’s not talk and forget everything except what happened last night?’ Yeah, that wouldn’t work. 

Kara waited patiently, but at seeing Lena struggling, she got off the bed, stepped up to her and took her hands in her own. “I know we have to talk, and we will, but it’s morning and I’m pretty hungry because someone exhausted me last night,” she said with a wink that made Lena blush, “and I’d love to just… enjoy today for a little longer. We’ll have time to talk, I promise.”

Lena sighed in relief. Yes, that would work. It was pretty darn close to what she wanted, to prolong this calm before the storm was the best she could hope for. She nodded, “okay.”

Kara smiled and released Lena’s hands slowly. She opened the door to the room and looked out to see if anyone was there and when they weren’t, she and Lena made their way downstairs.

On their way, they noticed they’d forgotten the box of donuts and potstickers from last night in the living room. 

Kara reached for them and opened the boxes. “I think they survived. And no ants by some miracle.” She grabbed one of the potstickers and ate it cold.

Lena was nearly horrified if it weren’t so adorable. 

“You got these last time too, how’d you know I love them?” Kara asked. 

“Your reputation precedes you. There is not a person out there who doesn’t know that you love to eat these.”

Kara chuckled. “Makes sense.” 

“Full disclosure, I don’t exactly know what they are though they look like dumplings,” Lena said as she eyed them.

“Oh, well, you’ve got to try one,” Kara began as grabbed another from the box. “They’re a type of dumpling, but the wrapper is thinner and not as chewy.”

Kara held it out for Lena and without thinking, and for some maddening reason (Kara being that reason) Lena leaned in to eat it directly from her fingers. The piece was small, and Lena managed to eat it whole while allowing her lips to touch Kara’s fingers. Her strange bake sale fantasy had somehow come true and she moaned, not so much at the taste of the cold food, but at the pleasure of this moment. Kara’s eyed widened and Lena saw the blonde take an audible breath in. Lena was quite pleased with herself and she bit her lip. She even considered riding this high by kissing Kara as soon as she swallowed the food. 

“Mom?” said Logan with clear surprise when he stepped into the hall. 

Lena almost choked on what was left of the potsticker. Her hair was out of place, and she was wearing pajamas for God’s sake. Clearly, she had not come from their house. 

Kara cleared her throat. “Morning buddy, how’d you sleep?”

“Fine, thank you Ms. Danvers.”

“What have I said, Kara is fine,” the blonde said. 

“Hello darling,” Lena said as she made her way to Logan and kissed him hello. They all walked casually  to the kitchen together as she explained. “I came over last night to spend some time with Kara while you and Dean played. You know, just moms chatting together.” 

She eyed Kara who covered a small laugh. 

“And in between all that chatting ,” she emphasized while eying Lena, “we realized it was super late and dangerous for her to go home alone, so I told her to stay over,” continued Kara, “in the guest room,” she added.

“Oh, okay,” said Logan, accepting the explanation. “We’re making pancakes by the way,” he moved on quickly. “And some eggs cuz I know you don’t like sweet breakfasts mom.” His mother smiled and thanked him. 

“I got this, you can sit down buddy,” Kara told him as she looked around the counter to gauge what was being prepared. 

“Actually, I love to cook,” said Logan. 

“Yeah mom, he’s way better than you, so you can sit down. We got this,” said Dean confidently.

“Good morning to you too,” Kara said, eying him playfully. 

“Morning mom,” he adjusted. “Morning Ms. Luthor.”

“Good morning Dean, thank you both for making us all breakfast.”

“We’re having fun so it’s cool,” he said with a smile.   

“Okay then.” Kara let the boys take over breakfast and made it to the dining table where she sat next to Lena, who she smiled at. 

The entire time they ate, Lena did her best not to stare at Kara, but every time she looked, the blonde was looking back. It made Lena breathe harder than normal. God, could the boys notice? Kara didn’t seem that determined on being inconspicuous. 

At one point, Kara’s fingers caressed the back of her hand beneath the table and Lena had to hold her breath. 

“Could you pass the cheese?” Dean asked his mom. Kara pulled her hand away from Lena’s to help him and Lena pitied the loss. 

“We should hurry along Logan, otherwise we’ll be spending all day here,” Lena said as they nearly finished their plates. 

“Okay, mom,” Logan nodded as he ate the last of his food.

“You guys can take a shower before you leave if you like. You did bring a change of clothes, right buddy?” Kara asked.

Lena turned to her. Kara didn’t understand what she was saying. If she kept this up, Lena would set up shop here and never leave. She needed Kara to let her go, otherwise Lena might just break down into tears about all her mistakes and the idea of losing Kara so quickly after she’d had her. 

“It’s alright. We can just change and get going,” Lena replied. She was using all her willpower to fight Kara and at least she got her tongue to listen to her brain this time. But just when Lena thought she might get out of this breakfast alive, she felt Kara’s hand on her thigh. 

“Really, it’s no bother,” the blonde said. “Lena, you can use my bathroom, since the guest one doesn’t have any amenities for a full shower.” 

And just like that, goodbye willpower. Hello setting up shop.

“Okay,” Lena replied in what must have sounded like a whimper. She cleared her throat as Kara began to stand from the table.

“Boys, would you do us the favor of cleaning up?” Kara asked kindly. 

“Sure mom,” Dean said right away. He was in a good mood with his friend over and all. 

“Both of you clean yourselves up too,” Kara insisted. “Logan, you can borrow Dean’s shower, right bud?”

“Yup,” Dean agreed.

Lena was already losing her breath though only Kara could tell.

“Let me show you the way to my room,” Kara said with a subtle grin that Lena wanted to kiss away so badly.

As soon as they reached the room, the door was closed behind them and Kara’s lips were on Lena’s. Or Lena’s lips were on Kara’s. She didn’t know who kissed who first. She didn’t care. 

“If you keep doing that, I’ll never leave,” Lena admitted between kisses. Why was it so easy to let go when Kara touched her or kissed her? 

“Doing what?” Kara asked as her hands roamed under the pajamas Lena had borrowed. Lena moaned at the soft touch like she hadn’t had it just last night, and this morning. 

“Making up excuses to make me stay.”

Kara kissed her again as she led her gently to the bathroom. “Is that all it takes to get you to stay? Feeble excuses?”

Lena could only moan as Kara undressed her and kissed her shoulder.

“Did you have somewhere important to be?” The blonde pestered as she slid Lena’s underwear down and then her own. Lena’s underwear was most certainly ruined, and had been ruined several times since last night and she was definitely not putting it on again until washed. So that was the end of its use for now. 

“Mhm,” Lena barely managed. The lack of sincerity was almost embarrassing. “I'm an important business woman, I have meetings-”

Kara cut her off with a kiss as she pulled Lena into the shower and opened the water where it didn’t touch them yet.

“And I’m PTA president, I have-” Lena cut herself off now. She’d forgotten that she was no longer PTA president. A statement that months ago might have given her an anxiety attack. But right now, it felt a relief not to have that weight on her shoulders. 

“So busy,” Kara teased as her hands caressed Lena’s breasts. “You sure you don’t have an opening to accommodate me?” She asked as she pushed Lena against the cold wall of the shower, making her gasp.

Lena went red at the question, only inappropriate answers coming to mind. “Actually, I might have an opening,” she managed to let out. She didn’t think she could keep up a conversation. Words were beginning to elude her as Kara’s hand slipped into her folds.

Lena moaned loudly, her knees bending as she surrendered to the touch. 

“You are so wet again,” Kara whispered into her ear.

Oh, if only Kara knew that Lena hadn’t stopped being wet for a second since last night. 

“How much time…” Lena couldn’t even ask the question, but she did her best to formulate a coherent sentence. “Please tell me Dean takes excruciatingly long showers?” She needed to know they had at least some time.

“He basically finishes the hot water if left unchecked,” Kara responded as she aimed the showerhead their way, wetting them both with the perfect hot water.

“Turn around,” Kara ordered.

As if enchanted, Lena did so without hesitation.

Kara pressed her body against her and led her hands to Lena’s front.

“Open your legs wider for me,” Kara spoke in a low, husky voice directly into Lena’s ear, though it felt like it went to her loins.

Lena relaxed against Kara, doing as told and she used her hands to hold herself against the wall. Kara slipped her fingers into her with ease. That was certainly one opening that accommodated the blonde without complaint. 

Lena’s legs nearly collapsed, so Kara held her in place as the brunette did her best to remain standing. Most of the water was hitting Kara’s back and their necks in this position, but the heat of their bodies pressed together kept Lena sufficiently warm. Kara grabbed Lena’s neck for leverage and thrust gently inside her over and over in a perfect motion. Lena threw her head back, delighted in the pressure against her neck, begging for it to be harder. 

Whatever time they took, Lena couldn’t tell. She could only feel as if the moment stretched in time. Lena could feel how the blonde got gentler in the last moments before Lena came just as she had done last night; how Kara gave Lena a deeper intimacy and covered her in affection with small adjustments that might have gone unnoticed to anyone else. She could feel Kara releasing her neck to interlock their fingers together against Lena’s abdomen. She could feel her kisses be gentler and more intentional. She could see how Kara seemed to focus entirely on the moment to ensure she could give Lena everything she needed while also enjoying every second herself. It was an extraordinarily intimate experience that Lena had never had before the blonde. 

Not long after, Lena repaid the favor. She could hardly stand in the shower after she’d come, so even though her knees on the floor weren’t the most comfortable, it was the best possible position for her. Not to mention how badly she’d wanted to taste Kara again.

What pulled hardest at Lena’s heart strings wasn’t the sex in the shower, but after that. How Kara had offered to shampoo Lena and just how gently she’d done it. How she’d washed Lena’s body so gently. These gestures of sweet intimacy that left her speechless and had her feeling more loved than she’d ever felt in her life. That was when Lena felt the tears.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Kara had asked. Her face so worried that Lena felt sick to see it like that.

“Nothing’s wrong, everything is perfect.” A half lie. Because true, this was absolutely perfect. It was everything Lena wanted and so much more that she hadn’t expected. But she was so worried. This time they’d had together, a little dimple in time would surely end once they talked. This wasn’t real, it was sexual tension and perhaps much needed intimacy for them both. But they had to get back to reality eventually. And once faced with all the things Lena had done, once Kara saw who Lena really was, would the blonde be able to forgive her? Would Kara really want her the way she seemed to in these moments?

The blonde kissed Lena’s tears away in the moment and held her for as long as Lena needed.

“The boys might get suspicious if we both step out at the same time, if they aren’t already,” Lena warned.

“Okay, I’ll get dressed and dry my hair up. Don’t leave without saying goodbye,” Kara said as Lena turned to face her.

Lena held all her emotions as close to her chest as she could. She didn’t want to say goodbye at all. That’s why she considered slipping out without it. But she couldn’t do that to Kara now. But would Lena be able to handle saying it to her face?

“You know, it’s still early. It’s Saturday, you could stay,” said Kara as they dried up. Lena could tell she meant it. 

“I think it’s best we don’t,” said Lena as she walked back to the bedroom and Kara followed. How much more involved did the blonde want her? Couldn't she tell Lena was absolutely smitten and Kara just kept making it worse? 

“Okay, maybe we can call later, to talk,” the blonde suggested, sensing Lena’s guard coming back up because of their unfinished business. 

Lena nodded and turned to grab her clothing from the night before, doing her best not to look at Kara before she left. If she did, she might never leave. And all she wanted was last night and morning on replay, forever. 

Kara stepped closer to Lena. “I know you’re leaving, but can I help you get dressed?” Kara whispered as she softly placed her hands on Lena’s hips from behind and breathed her in intentionally, placing a soft kiss on Lena’s shoulders. Lena let out a soft moan and leaned into the touch, succumbing to it.  

By the time they had finished, Kara was zipping Lena’s dress back up (no underwear on), planting kisses on her skin right before the fabric covered them. Lena closed her eyes and whimpered at the touch of the blonde’s lips. Kara was standing naked behind her but dry. 

Kara pulled back and Lena turned around to look at her. She wanted to kiss Kara so badly. Take her back to bed and get rid of her own dress all over again like the greediest person on this planet. 

She licked her lips and to her surprise, Kara leaned her forehead against hers. 

This didn’t seem pretend to Lena. It didn’t seem that Kara wanted just ‘a while’. But Lena couldn’t be sure if what she saw was all through some filter because of how she felt for Kara and how badly she wanted Kara to feel the same.

“How about dinner?” asked Lena. “We can talk. I’ll cook for you, since your own child doesn’t trust you in the kitchen,” she joked. She needed to lighten the mood. 

Kara chuckled, “Hey! I make a mean cereal bowl.”

Lena chuckled. 

“So, like a date?” Kara wondered with a smirk. 

Oh, gosh. Did both of them just want to skip over this whole talking thing? She wished they would. 

Lena opened her mouth to say matter of factly that it couldn’t be a date because how could it possibly when they were both probably wondering what this meant and what this even was. But she didn’t say it. 

Kara spoke instead. “I know what you’re thinking, that dates usually come before the sex, which we’ve already had, several times, but I’m happy to offer sex again right after to ensure a perfectly normal date experience,” she said, holding back a wide grin. 

Lena chuckled and her hand flew to Kara’s neck. She’d almost pulled her in to kiss her so casually. But she pulled her hand back and reigned it in. 

“Well you did say you wanted to have a drink together, so why don’t we start with that. And I will still make food so you can take some home so that Dean can eat something that isn’t out of a box.”

“He doesn’t always eat food from a box, I will have you know Noonan’s cooks fresh food every day,” the blonde replied. 

Goddamnit, Lena pulled Kara in for a kiss anyway.

---

“Logan, are you ready to leave? Got all your things?” She asked her son as he said goodbye to Dean and they stood by the door.

“Yeah, I have all my things,” he affirmed.

Lena had tucked her underwear safely into her bag. She’d grabbed the pajamas she and Kara had thrown about on their way to the shower, and left them folded on the edge of the bed along with the slippers she’d borrowed. 

Lena was helping Logan with his backpack and looking around for Kara, tempted to leave once more without having to actually say goodbye so she could pretend this wasn’t goodbye to whatever they had forever, which it most likely would be.

Logan opened the door, when Alex, Kelly and their daughter appeared at the entrance. 

God , she should have left sooner. 

“Oh, Lena, hi,” said Kelly, with a wide smile.

Alex was left speechless at the sight of her.

“Did Kara invite you for breakfast?” asked Kelly.

Alex frowned, taking quick notice of Lena’s dress, one more appropriate for an evening invite.

Logan answered. “No, we stayed the night,” he clarified.

Alex’s eyes widened, “ We ? As in you and your mom?” she asked, prowling, her frown and confusion evident.

Kelly gave Alex a look as she caught on to the line of questioning.

They had to get out. “We were just leaving,” said Lena as she put her hand on Logan’s back to urge him out before her.

Kara showed up just then. “Alex, Kelly, hey! Esme! What’s up kiddo?” Kara reached for her niece and lifted her in the air before catching her. “I'm so happy you’re here,” she told the kid as she put her down and Esme made her way inside on her own. “Did I forget you guys were coming?” she now said to her sister and Kelly.

“Uh, yeah, lunch with us and Nia. But we came a little early, I guess. I texted you last night,” Alex said, her eyes still fixed on Lena. “Clearly, you weren’t expecting us.”

“Oh, right.” Kara hadn’t checked her messages last night. The reasons obvious only to her and Lena. 

“We were just leaving,” Lena insisted, taking some steps towards the door, except Alex was blocking her, still trying to make sense of the situation. 

“No, wait. Why don’t you stay now that Alex and Kelly are here? I mean, I know we just had breakfast a bit ago, but you can stay for a while and it’ll be lunch soon.”

“And we’ll be eating freshly made food from Noonan’s?” Lena found herself teasing, forgetting for a second that Alex and Kelly were there. 

Kara smiled, “No! Kelly and Alex like to cook.”

Lena bit the inside of her mouth to keep from smiling and shaking her head. “I think I’ve overstayed my welcome,” she said, trying to avoid Alex’s eyes, which were wide open and seeking answers still.

“No, you haven’t, at all,” pressed Kara.

“Thank you for… everything,” said Lena, seeming confident but barely avoiding stuttering on her words. At least having Alex and Kelly there gave her an excuse to not dwell on a proper goodbye. “It was nice to see you both,” she directed towards Alex and Kelly. 

“You too,” Kelly replied. Alex’s silence was more out of shock than effrontery Lena figured. 

Once Alex moved out of the way, Lena was swiftly out the door with her son.

Kara pursed her lips in slight disappointment, but then turned to greet her sister and sister-in-law. “Hey guys! Come in,” she said as if nothing had happened.

Alex glared in complete befuddlement.

---

Lena drove her way home with Logan in the car. 

She asked about his sleepover and how he’d liked it. She listened and nodded, smiled along and asked more questions.

She pretended. 

As if everything were fine. 

As if the world wasn’t crashing down on her and her heart wasn’t wrenching. 

As if she didn’t know that she had absolutely ruined every chance between her and Kara, and ‘a while’ was now over, for good.

As if she hadn’t realized that she was madly in love with Kara. 

Logan kept on talking, elated about the time he’d spent with his friend. 

And Lena managed to hide the tears that rolled down her eyes.

Notes:

One more chapter to go!
How did you like this one? I made you wait but I hope it was worth it.

Chapter 6: Touché

Notes:

Picks up where last one left off.
Words that aren't in italics when the rest in the sentence are in italics are actually in italics. That made sense right?

“Okay, what the absolute hell?” asked Alex after the kids were out of the kitchen and busy playing with their own things. She’d been holding the question in since she’d been stunned by the sight of Lena inside Kara’s home before noon on a Saturday morning.

“What?” Kara played dumb as she swallowed a whole fork of spaghetti for lunch that Kelly had so graciously cooked for them all. She’d managed to avoid talking about Lena for a while, but now that the kids were out of earshot, she knew it was coming. Still, she could stall a bit longer, right?

Kelly widened her eyes and pressed her lips together, watching it begin to unfold. 

“What do you mean what ?” Alex asked louder.

Kara didn’t make eye contact as she swallowed another fork of spaghetti. Alex turned to Kelly as if to say, Am I the only one that’s wondering? But Kelly said nothing to avoid intruding and gave a small shrug. 

“What was Lena Luthor doing here? Why did she stay over ?” asked Alex.

Kara swallowed her food. “Logan and Dean had a sleepover,” she explained. She remembered Alex told her once that short answers helped avoid having to lie while being interrogated. Not that she intended to lie. 

“You invited her son?” Alex asked a clarifying question. 

“I didn’t, Dean did. They’re good friends.” So far so good. 

“Right, okay, plausible. And how did Lena Luthor end up sleeping over exactly?” Alex probed.  

“She came over late and it wasn’t safe for her to go home alone. She didn’t have a chauffeur,” said Kara, repeating the same story they had sold to the kids. It was believable to an adult too, for sure. Kara was totally winning this interrogation, Alex had no idea.  

Alex was quiet as she thought. She looked at Kelly who had a grin she was trying to hide. But Alex was a detective, not an idiot. 

“ Did you two …?” Alex looked horrified as it dawned on her. She looked in the direction of the bedroom. 

Oh no. Kara had absolutely failed this interrogation. “Alex, don’t,” begged Kara. 

Alex jumped out of her seat and ran to the bedroom. Kara ran after her to stop her, loudly pushing her chair back and nearly tilting it over. Kelly followed. 

Alex reached Kara's room and closed the door shut on Kara before the blonde could get there. 

“Alex!” Kara called, knocking on her own door. “Alex!”

“Oh God,” exclaimed Kara, turning to Kelly, “was it that obvious?” 

“At first I thought you had just asked her over for a romantic breakfast, but Alex is a detective so she must’ve picked up on something I didn’t,” said Kelly.

The smell of sex, thought Kara, but didn’t say anything. 

“Alex, open the door!” Kara called again as she hit her fist on the door. “This is like high-school all over again,” she commented to Kelly.

The door came open suddenly and Kara and Kelly stepped into the room. 

“YOU SLEPT WITH LENA LUTHOR?!” Alex’s eyes were wide and dumbfounded. 

“Alex, be quiet , the kids will hear,” Kara whispered as she closed her bedroom door behind them.

“Exhibit A,” said Alex as she held a toothbrush with a pair of tweezers. “A second toothbrush that is clearly not yours.”

“That could be old,” said Kara. 

“The pack is in the trash Kara,” Alex rapidly contested. 

Kara grimaced. But at least that pack had covered the condom from the night before and its respective pack, also in the trash. Or maybe Alex simply hadn’t noticed them, thank-freaking-goodness for that.

“Exhibit B: a set of neatly folded pajamas on your bed. I’ve never seen you fold a thing this well in your life,” she pointed out the pajamas Lena had left on the edge of Kara’s bed. 

They were exceptionally folded, Kara had to admit, damn it. 

“Exhibit C,” continued Alex, “slippers! You never use them, you walk around barefoot, and yet here they are, also by the bed.”

Kara remained quiet, still grimacing, wondering how long she could keep this up. Until she realized she couldn’t because Alex had already figured it out. She knew . 

“Exhibit D!” Alex exclaimed a little louder to call attention to the never-ending list she was willing to go through to force Kara to confess. 

“Alright!” called out Kara. “Yes, okay, Lena and I slept together,” she confessed. 

“Oh My God!” called out Alex. “ Why ?” was all she could find in herself to ask. 

Kelly smiled in small surprise.

“Because she’s… so sexy… and captivating,” searching for the words, “extraordinary in other ways too,” Kara added.

Kelly grinned wide.

“What kind of advanced witchcraft did she do to you? What did I miss? We hate Lena Luthor!” exclaimed Alex. “How did this happen? Did I get transported to an alternate universe?” 

“No, we don’t hate her. You do. And you don’t even know her,” said Kara. 

“Was it a one time thing?” asked Kelly, putting the argument between Kara and Alex aside for a moment. 

“No, God I hope not. Plus technically it happened more than once,” Kara answered with a small blush.

“ There are children here !” Alex scolded in a strong whisper. 

“Oh, now you care about the children hearing?” Kara retorted. “Not when you were yelling that I’d had sex?” Kara turned back to Kelly. “Also, she just asked me out on a date. I don’t know if it’ll happen, but she says she’s going to cook for me,” she added with a bright smile. 

“That’s very sweet,” said Kelly. “But also necessary, since we all know about your cooking skills.”

Kara covered her face, half embarrassed. If even Kelly was dissing her, maybe she needed some cooking lessons. 

“Hold on, back to the issue at hand please,” interrupted Alex. “How did this happen?”

“Any further questions?” Kara turned to Kelly, avoiding Alex’s questioning entirely.

Alex threw her hands up in frustration. “Yes! The many I just asked.” 

Kara ignored her sister still. Kelly spoke again. “I suspected something when I caught you both at the party in your garden, and then you told us about the kiss which confirmed my suspicions, but I don’t want to ask anything beyond that, unless you want to share. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“You suspected? You saw us in the garden? Was it obvious since then?” asked Kara.

“The KISS?!” shouted Alex, raising her hands at yet another thing she was out of the loop from.

“I kissed Lena the night before the campaign party,” said Kara matter of factly.

“ What ?” replied Alex. She could hardly keep up. “What in fucktopia?” 

“She came over to apologize for the way she reacted during the interview. And I ended up kissing her,” explained Kara, beaming at the memory.

“Wait, what happened during the interview?” Kelly asked.

Right. Kara hadn’t shared everything. “A total misunderstanding for which she came to apologize. That was the first kiss.”

“Oh, got it,” Kelly nodded. 

Alex raised a brow and made a face at Kelly, “ got it ?” 

“The Queen has arrived!” called Nia as she showed up at the front door. “Where are you all?”

“Bedroom!” answered Kara after opening the door, although she regretted it right away. Did she really want Nia in this mess too?

Nia made her way upstairs with her kid, who was asleep in her arms. 

“Why are you all in the bedroom?” She asked. “Some secret meeting or something?”

“Kara slept with Lena Luthor,” blurted out Alex.

“Alex!” called out Kara in a reprimand.

“Holy Hell! What?” Exclaimed Nia with a huge smile of surprise as she laid her child on Kara’s bed. “After the kiss?”

“Jesus, did everyone know about this kiss but me?” asked Alex.

“Are you surprised? I mean you would have gone crazy if I had told you,” said Kara.

Kelly gave a knowing nod. 

“Told me what? I’m still utterly confused in this parallel universe,” Alex spoke. 

“Okay, tell us everything,” said Nia. “I want details, dirty ones.”

“I don’t,” said Alex.

Nia waved her off and then covered her baby’s ears. 

Kara went crimson as she thought of the night before and this morning. “Okay, long story short-”

“No, we want long story long,” Nia interrupted, to which Kara chuckled. 

“There is way too much to share, so you’ll have to deal with the short version for now. All you need to know is that she came over last night. Even brought donuts and potstickers,” Kara stated.  

“Well at least she knows what she’s getting into if she brought food,” teased Nia.

“And she was wearing this… dress,” Kara bit her lip at the memory. 

“Same one she was wearing today?” asked Kelly.

“Yeah.”

“She looked really good in that,” she said. Alex shot her a squinted look.

“Which dress? What did it look like? Describe it,” jumped Nia.

“Black, no shoulders, low cut,” said Kara. They got quiet again so she’d go on. “And let's just say I… didn’t have that much time to admire it on her.”

Nia jumped in excitement, and Kelly’s smile tripled.

“Kara Danvers, you are a playaa!” Nia pushed Kara playfully. “You had us fooled that night at the bar! Pretending you couldn’t get a single person to come home with you.”

“Oh, by the way, Lena was the one that paid for that expensive bottle,” said Kara.

“Ohh,” Alex and Nia said in unison.

“Damn it,” Alex added.

“What?” Kara asked.

“Nothing, it’s just a shame the Luthor has good taste in wine.”

Kara pursed her lips at her sister.

“So she liked you since then?” Nia asked.

“I mean I guess. God knows I liked her since I first saw her,” Kara said. 

“Say what?” Alex spoke, but the group seemed too captivated by the other details to pay her any mind. 

“Aww, that’s so cute,” Kelly commented, making Kara blush a little. 

“But Lena didn’t end up coming over to sit with us because William showed up,” Kara added. 

“Oh, that made her jealous I’m sure,” Nia said, biting her lip. “Shit, and we kept pushing you to meet people. Pushing you to go with William. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you only had eyes for Lena since then,” She raised her brows several times over in another playful taunt.

Kara smiled and gave a light head shake. “Thanks,” she accepted the apology.

“I am still so fucking lost,” Alex said. “Can you please stop dodging my questions? Tell me how this all started,” she pressed her sister. “Do you have a thing for like intense, powerful, rude women?”

Kara opened her mouth. “Well now that you put it like that…”

“I agree, it’s hot,” Nia said.

“Okay, if you really want to know Alex,” began Kara, “You’ve been too busy calling her ‘The Ice Queen' and refusing to see any good in her while I haven’t. So I’ll answer your questions, but you need to promise to just sit and listen when I talk, and not try to convince me otherwise.”

Alex seemed hesitant. Kara gave her a look and her sister gave in. “Fine, I’ll shut up and listen.”

Kara deflated and began to explain the essential aspects to her sister and friends. She explained her initial attraction, the interview, the kiss, and how everything had come crashing down after the President of the PTA Campaign. 

“I… don’t even know what to say,” said Alex after it all, and as they lay in Kara’s living room. “What a bitch.”

“What?” Kara frowned. 

“She framed my nephew, Kara, over some bullshit. We both know it. You’re fine with that?” Alex responded. 

“That’s what you got from it all? Look, she fixed that situation, the school called and everything is fine now. And no, I wasn’t fine with it originally, that was really shitty, but people make mistakes, okay. She’s not the person you think,” said Kara. 

“Kara, you haven’t talked anything out with her. Has she even apologized for that? I don’t understand how you could forgive her,” Alex spoke. “If someone did that to Esme I would flay them alive.”

Nia’s eyes widened at the graphic description. 

“She’s not this graphic around the kids,” Kelly butted in for a lighthearted moment. 

“Yeah,” Kara returned to the conversation, “we still need to talk about a lot of stuff but…Alex, I really lo-”

Alex’s eyebrows shot up.

“I like her. A lot,” Kara said. “And I think she likes me too. And if we can get past everything between us, then isn’t that a sign? And if we can do it, why can’t you?”

Alex stood in quiet shock for a moment. “So she’s forgiven you? For your article, for sending her family to prison? And for destroying her family’s company?”

“Yes. I don’t know. Maybe. I guess all of that is still pending,” said Kara. 

“Everything is pending,” Alex commented. 

“Not the sex, which is the most important,” Nia murmured, earning a look from Alex and a small grin from Kelly. 

“Either way Alex, this is my choice, and I need you to respect it,” Kara said. “I know I have some things to figure out, but for now, no more calling her ‘The Ice Queen’, and no more judging her and no more doubting her, none of it. You’re going to have to trust me with this,” said Kara. 

“Kara I trust you, I just don’t-”

“And by extension, you’ll have to, at the very least, give Lena the benefit of the doubt. I know she hasn’t earned your trust yet, although if you gave her a chance, she could,” Kara added. “And at least give me a chance to see if this could work out before you tear it down.”

Alex didn’t have a quick answer, and the worry lines appeared on her forehead. “Kara, it's not that I want to tear down your love life. It just never occurred to me that Lena could be part of that and…” she sighed. “You know that her family has a violent history. And I just want what’s best for you, and that I’m just protective of you, right?”

“I know. She’s not like them. And you’ve been really terrible to Lena for assuming she was. And I know you want to help, but frankly, you’ve done more than enough.”

“What does that mean?” her sister asked, her tone getting a little defensive. 

“What does that mean?” Kara bounced her sister's words back to her. “You messed this whole thing up Alex, with your campaign thing and the announcement before I said it was okay. Yeah, I know about that.”

Alex opened her mouth to respond, but Kara kept going. “Those things really hurt her, Alex. While I was behaving in one way, everything you did behind my back was sending different signals. It’s not just me forgiving her, it’s also about her forgiving me.” 

“Technically forgiving Alex,” Nia jumped in with another murmur. 

Alex punched her in the arm for it that time, earning an ‘ouch’ from Nia. “Seriously Nia, can I have a second?” Alex said, half serious. “I can barely process this,” she said more seriously.

“Sorry,” Nia said with a small grimace as she gave Alex a quick side hug. 

“So I’m the one that messed it all up for you and Lena?” Alex asked, her face dropping a little in guilt. 

“Kinda,” Kara said softly, “but the history between us, the article I wrote on her family was also hanging over our heads, so it wasn’t all you.”

“Mostly you though,” Nia commented about Alex.

“I can punch way harder, Nal,” Alex warned her friend. 

Kelly gave Alex a reassuring hug from the side as well, noting her guilt, now more evident. Alex sighed heavily. She shook her head and closed her eyes before she looked back at Kara. “Fuck, I’m- I’m sorry Kara. I truly had no idea you liked Lena. And yeah, I guess I can see now that I fucked up by not listening to you and all the other stuff.”  

“Thanks,” Kara let out followed by a sigh of relief. She’d finally talked to Alex and she was so glad she’d gotten it all out, that Alex had heard her. She leaned in and hugged her sister hard as Kelly gave her the space. “I love you Alex.”

“Love you too,” her sister replied. “Now that I think of it,” Alex said mid hug, “I should have noticed you had the hots for her cuz you did come to her defense a lot, and you do have a thing for dark hair and trouble, lets face it.”

“I do not!” Kara exclaimed as she abruptly ended the hug, only to catch Alex with a wicked grin, mocking her. 

“I have evidence, remember that girl from college?” Alex brought up.

“We agreed to never speak of that again,” Kara murmured. 

“Okay, okay, Alex is gonna stop being a dick, can you let her get to the dirty details of the sex now please,” urged Nia.

“No thank you,” said Alex.

“You didn’t think we’d let you skip over that, what happened?” pressed Nia.

Kara opened her mouth, but Alex jumped in. “They slept together, the end, we don’t need every detail.”

“Alex!” Called out Kelly. She wanted to hear it too. 

“What? We already know how it goes. Not like I’m spoiling anything.”

“It was the best sex of my life,” Kara smirked. 

Nia’s mouth dropped and Kelly’s eyes widened as they looked at each other. 

“Eww, eww,” gagged Alex as she covered her ears. 

“But I’ll spare you the dirty details,” Kara said. 

“Thank God!” exclaimed Alex. 

“Nooo,” complained Nia. “We wanted those!”

“For Alex and out of respect for Lena,” explained Kara.

Nia whined.

“Well I’m happy for you,” said Kelly.

“Thank you Kelly.”

“Me too, Kara,” Nia agreed. “If you guys can figure this out, I think… that Alex has to apologize.”

“I already apologized,” Alex jumped in. 

“To Lena?” Nia asked.

Alex sighed, “Shit. I’ll need some heavy liquor for that. Maybe you could ask her to send us another one of those $500 bottles of wine.”

---

 

“All right, I’ve got a 45 minute lunch, and nothing but curiosity killing me, so please, tell me how it went,” Sam said as she flopped down on her office couch next to Lena. They’d made time to have lunch together and at L Corp so Lena could catch her up. They’d gotten Chinese, Sam’s favorite. She opened the boxes of food and Lena helped. “So did you talk?” 

Lena opened her mouth as she considered what to say next. “There was some talking involved.”

“What did you say?” Sam asked as she grabbed the chopsticks and opened her box of noodles.

Put your cock inside me. Oh and Please . Lena was a lady, after all. Not at that precise moment with Kara perhaps, but usually. There had been a lot of begging in general, but not much talking on Lena’s part beyond that, she now realized. 

“I expressed my needs,” Lena let out, which sounded much dirtier than she had expected and it earned her a raised brow from Sam and a devilish grin.

“Oh, did you?” 

Lena rolled her eyes. 

“And in what ways did you express your needs ?” Sam teased, her grin growing by the second. 

“In the shape of moans mostly,” Lena caved right away.

Sam burst out into a loud exciting laugh. She’d nearly dropped the box of food she was holding. “Holy shit!”

“So, I owe you a huge thank you for the dress suggestion,” Lena told her. 

Sam smiled wide, “you are so very welcome. So… how was it?”

Lena bit her lip and closed her eyes to reminisce. “It was extraordinary, Sam. I’d never… come so hard and I’d never… enjoyed it all so much.” Lena wasn’t in the habit of sharing. She never really cared for people knowing those kinds of details, even Sam, but it was different with Kara. Suddenly she needed to talk to Sam about it, wanted to brag about the incredible sex, wanted to relive it even if by narrating it to someone. Kara brought out the strangest things in her, yet she didn’t mind one bit. 

“Oh my God, you got me blushing,” Sam said happily. “How many times?” 

Lena bit her lip harder, was she actually about to tell Sam all the things she’d spent years claiming she didn't like talking about? 

“Including the morning after?”

“There was a morning after ?” Sam exclaimed, sitting up straighter, getting more excited by the second. 

“Mhm,” Lena nodded, pressing her lips together. “If I count that, 6 in total.”

“6 orgasms in the course of…” she gauged Lena’s face for her words, “12 hours? Not bad, not bad at all. You really know how to make up for lost time,” she teased. “And damn, Kara’s got stamina.”

“Oh you have no idea. And the worst part is I still want more,” Lena admitted. 

“That’s not the worst part,” Sam countered, eating some of the noodles now, the grin not disappearing just yet. 

“It is, because during all the sex we didn’t exactly do any of the talking I had set out to do. That was mostly my fault.”

“I’ll bet it was,” she winked at Lena. “So, no time to talk between orgasms 5 and 6?” Sam pestered.

Lena stole her noodle bowl, to which Sam laughed and took Lena’s bowl from the table, which the woman hadn’t touched yet. “Aren’t you gonna eat?” Sam asked. “Oh wait, I guess you ate enough of Kara.”

“Sam!” Lena exclaimed, turning a little red and accidentally tilting the bowl and dropping some of the food on the couch. “Shit, sorry.”

“It’s fine, I’ll have it cleaned,” Sam waved off. “But am I wrong?”

Lena bit the inside of her cheek, “No, I did in fact… have a taste of… heaven.”

Sam squealed. “I’m ecstatic for you, Lena, I really am.”

Lena sighed. “That was all great. Kara was amazing but…”

“But what?” Sam’s grin was now a frown.

“Sam, I’m terrified.”

“Wow, you are actually expressing your feelings, which I love, by the way. Kara has done a number on you. But all joking aside, what are you afraid of?”

“What happens when we do talk? When I tell her point blank that I put drugs in her son’s locker over some stupid PTA presidency?” Lena’s frown showed her worry as much as her tone. 

Sam sighed back. “I know you’re worried but clearly there is something between you two, something big that neither can resist. It’s more than chemistry, although you’ve got enough to spare. It’s worth fighting for.”

“And if Kara disagrees?”

“You really should have tried to address this sooner. Between orgasms 2 and 3 maybe,” Sam said as her grin grew again. “I mean seriously, how many orgasms does one woman need in 24 hours? It’s actually excessive now that I think of it.”

Lena pushed her playfully, thankful that her friend knew to keep things light. Sam had gotten her through hell several times over in their lives with her sense of humor. “I was busy sleeping then, I think.” Lena smiled recalling the night at Kara’s. “Wrapped in Kara’s arms,” she said fondly.

“Quick question. Where was Logan during all this? And Kara’s son?”

Lena snapped back to the moment. “It was a sleepover so they were asleep in Dean’s room. But Logan almost caught us in the morning. Or should I say almost caught me kissing Kara.”

Sam’s eyes widened.

“He didn’t,” Lena clarified, “because I didn’t kiss her and he appeared just then. But it was close.”

“How do you think he’d take it?” Sam asked as she ate a piece of shrimp. 

“I think he’d take it well. But there’s never been someone else in our lives like that. It would be a big change. But I… can’t help but think that Kara would fit perfectly into our lives.”

“Shit.”

Lena faced Sam, just now noticing how she’d basically been staring into nowhere dreaming about a life with Kara. “What?” 

“You’ve really fallen for her. You’re imagining her in your life, in Logan’s. You really want this, huh?” 

Lena swallowed. Sam, of course, verbalized Lena’s needs before she did. “I do. I’ve never wanted this before. I’d never even entertained the possibility of it.” 

“Until Kara.”

“Until Kara,” Lena affirmed. 

“I need to meet her, properly, and around you. I’m dying to see this live.”

“See what live?”

“How you melt in her presence. It’s a sight I've never seen before and I’d pay an obscene amount to witness someone making you soft.”

“She hasn’t made me soft,” Lena battled.

“Maybe over coffee or something, where I’ll pretend to bump into you two after having watched you from afar for a while,” her friend went on, purposely ignoring her while giving her a teasing side eye.

“But yes, you should meet her, properly.” Whereas with most people, Lena worried what they’d think of her and Kara, Sam was like family to Lena, and she was about the only person Lena actually wanted to meet Kara aside from Logan. 

“You’ll figure it out, your issue that is,” Sam comforted her and reached her chopsticks with food to Lena’s mouth. “Now eat.”

Lena opened and took the food. “Any ideas on how to apologize to a child for framing him by hiding marijuana in his locker?”

“You’ve come to the right person. I’m your CEO because I find solutions, aren’t I?”

“Thank you.” Lena ate some of her bowl, more relaxed now. “But before that, tell me about Kelly’s app.”

“I have been waiting for you to say that since I showed it to you,” Sam said as she dipped a dumpling in soy. 

“I downloaded it again this morning. The beta version isn’t bad,” Lena stated. 

“It’s fucking amazing. And she has a lot of ideas for it, this is just the start.”

“Why haven’t you invested?”

“I have or plan to, but the plans for the app extend beyond what I can afford right now. We need a shark,” Sam widened her eyes at Lena knowingly.

“You mean to say me?”

“I knew you were smart.”

Lena chuckled. 

“I’ll send you a few details later, for a proposal I was helping her with for investors.”

Sam’s assistant knocked on the door just then and peeked her head in. “Excuse me. I’m sorry to interrupt Ms. Arias but Logistics is on line 2. They say it’s a crisis.”

“Can’t you see I'm handling a crisis right now Jess?” Sam retorted. Lena nearly snickered at the response. The assistant slipped out without a word. 

“That’s not Jess,” Lena pointed out after the assistant left. 

“Oh, I know. I just don’t want the new assistants to get too confident so I call them all Jess until they pass the 2 month mark. They usually don’t. Plus, no one can really replace Jess ever since you took her. Explain to me again how helping you be a PTA president is more important than helping me run your multimillion dollar company?”

Lena tightened her lips. She was realizing how foolish it all was now, all the choices she’d made that were wrapped up in her PTA president mania. “You can have Jess back.” 

“Seriously?” Sam nearly dropped the next dumpling. 

“I’m no longer PTA president, or at least I won’t be in a couple weeks, so you can have her back.”

Sam grinned. “Remind me to thank Kara for the 6 orgasms. They really cleared your head.”

Lena pushed Sam again and stole a prime piece of shrimp from her food.

---

The lunch had gone way past 45 minutes but Sam was working. Technically, on Lena’s problems, but working nonetheless. And Lena did own the company after all, so she gave Sam a pass for going over her lunch time.

The talk with Sam left Lena at ease, as talks with Sam usually did. She had left with a plan to apologize to Dean without outing herself, as they both decided was best, and she’d left with a few suggestions on how to talk to Kara at last. 

Then she’d chickened out on the Kara aspect of it all. She was hanging by a thread, and she wasn’t sure if talking to Kara would cut it. She’d never been this avoidant about something before. It wasn’t like her. But she’d also never felt stakes like this before. And as of now, the possibility of Kara rejecting her after what Lena had done was worse than this unlabeled relationship where there was clear attraction that they acted on, and maybe would act on again. Lena’s logic was… based on loss aversion, she convinced herself. 

For now, she tried to focus on Logan. She was at his horseback riding competition the next day. He’d told her that morning he had decided definitively on quitting all activities except for basketball and horseback riding, and that he’d divide his time between those two unless he felt inclined towards one more than the other in the future. Lena had once again been a little disappointed by his resolute decision to quit fencing, but she respected it. He was growing up and making his own choices, and she would let him. It was a privilege that her family had never given her. 

She sat drinking some matcha tea at the table and watched him make his way to the stalls to get his horse ready for later. 

“Is this seat taken?”

Lena turned to tell whomever that in fact the seat was taken. Not really, the table had 4 seats of which Lena was only occupying 1, but people at this country club weren’t too fond of a Luthor, so she rathered they did not pretend they were. 

“Kara,” she smiled in surprise. “You’re here. At Logan’s competition?” She raised a brow. 

Kara smiled. “So is that a yes?”

“No, it’s not taken,” Lena shook her head softly, “please sit.”

The blonde did. “I am here, and I take it from your question that you had no idea Logan invited us to his competition.”

Lena pursed her lips in understanding and gave a nod. “I guess this is what happens when you don’t have any friends and suddenly you can’t get enough of one person.”

“You find every excuse possible to see them?” Kara asked. Her tone implying that she wasn’t talking about Dean and Logan anymore.

“You forget your family exists,” Lena clarified, keeping it light.

Kara chuckled. “Been there. There was this girl in college that I was obsessed with. I forgot Alex existed, so much so that I forgot to pick her up from a dentist’s appointment. But luckily Alex was so high on anesthesia, she didn’t really feel the time pass.”

Lena chuckled at the response. “Did you also forget your family? Where’s Dean?” 

Kara smiled. “Right there. He caught up with Logan,” she pointed down from the deck where she and Lena were at a boy that was now walking with Logan on the way to the horse stalls. 

“Thank you for coming. That’s really sweet of you.”

“Of course. Also, Dean wouldn’t shut up about it so…”

Lena smiled softly. There was a moment of silence. Kara’s eyes were fixed on Lena, but she couldn’t look at the blonde. “I’ve been meaning to text…or call,” Lena said, playing with her fingers. 

“I’ve been meaning to receive those texts or calls,” Kara said lightheartedly. “I was kind of hoping I’d get one about that date you’d promised.”

Lena sighed. She’d wanted to text of course. She wanted to take Kara out on a date but she wasn’t sure about their status after their night together. But, Kara had wanted Lena to take her on a date after all, so maybe all hope wasn’t lost. Would this become a friends with benefits situation? She couldn’t really claim to be Kara’s friend though, so maybe something more like frenemies with benefits. 

“But I know why you didn’t,” Kara went on after Lena left her with silence, “I know you lied about knowing how to actually cook and realized you’d have to learn first rather than set yourself up for failure when I showed up,” she joked. 

Lena let out a small chuckle in surprise. “That’s exactly why I didn’t text. I’m taking those cooking lessons today, in fact.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell your future date.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that. Please also avoid telling my date that I’m learning to make homemade potstickers for her.” Just last night, Lena had looked up a recipe and made them with Logan. 

Kara’s face lit up at the sentence. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“You’re very kind.”

“For the record, your date would go out with you even if you burned oatmeal and loved kale,” Kara added. 

Lena laughed. She almost wanted to kiss her right there in front of everyone. “I really had meant to text you.”

“Well, if you do decide to text me, whenever you’re ready... I’ll text back, I promise.”

Lena smiled and bit the inside of her cheek. How was Kara so kind to her still?  

“Out of curiosity, what exactly had you been meaning to text me?” Kara asked.

Lena was quiet for a moment. That you’re the most marvelous person I’ve ever met in my life and I’ve been having fantasies of us doing the most mundane things. Those fantasies had started after discovering that Kara was her happy place.  “Mostly nudes,” she said instead. 

Kara laughed aloud. “Gosh, you have a way of just…”

“Avoiding important conversations?”

“Surprising me. When I least expect it.”

Lena raised her brow. “Do I?”

“Yep, you are full of surprises.”

“Such as?”

“Such as…” Kara gazed at her for a moment, at her eyes, at Lena’s lips. Her eyes went lower down Lena’s neck to her cleavage. “How sensitive you are…”

Lena raised a brow and pursed her lips. She was not sensitive!  

“To my touch,” Kara finished her sentence. 

Oh, okay, yes , Lena was very sensitive in that regard. She released her lips and inhaled slowly. Kara watched her chest grow. 

The blonde licked her lips and lowered her voice. “Or how… thoroughly you like to be fucked.”

Fuck . Lena couldn’t breathe now. Her eyes darted everywhere. Were people noticing them? Could anyone hear this conversation? Strange that she cared about that because the wild idea of Kara taking her right there on the table popped into her head, and she had to shake it off against her will. She cleared her throat. “You certainly have the same talent. If anything I’d say you surprise me the most.”

“Also in bed?” Kara teased.

Lena bit her lip to stop herself from smiling. Two could play at this game. “You fucked me exactly as I had hoped actually, and then some.” Lena saw her take a heavy inhale. She wouldn’t deny just how much she liked the effect she had on Kara, how easy it was in their conversations to just slip into this and forget everything else. “And you got what you wanted.”

“What I wanted?” Kara asked, her pupils were widened by this point. 

“Every time I’ve looked at myself in the mirror since then, all I see are the marks you’ve left. And all I think about is you,” Lena admitted. Just this morning she’d spent an entire 15 minutes staring at herself in the mirror and thinking of one of her ridiculous domestic fantasies before she smelled the bread burning in the toaster.  

Kara seemed to be having a hard time breathing now. Lena had evened the playing field, which left her satisfied. “Out of curiosity, have I always had this effect on you?” she asked the blonde. 

Kara smiled as she considered the question more carefully. “Maybe,” she said at first. “Actually, I think it happened slowly in a way. I couldn’t tell how it built up over time, until it… until you had this hold over me. I can’t quite escape it now. Even after…”

Lena had been involuntarily smiling as Kara spoke, but the reminder of what she’d done robbed her smile. “After knowing better.”

Kara was silent for a moment. Lena sat there mirroring her. Everyone passing around was glancing their way curiously. Lena typically sat alone. Someone at her table was an oddity. She just hoped they moved fast enough and far enough that they couldn’t hear their conversation. 

“What about you?” Kara asked. “Have I always had this effect on you?”

“Bold of you to assume you have an effect on me,” Lena deflected.

Kara merely smiled at the banter. Lena liked that about her, among so many other things. That she could hold her own when Lena was practically insulting her (in a flirtatious and harmless manner of course). 

“Oh I’m not assuming,” Kara replied, “You’ve practically admitted it,” she leaned in closer to Lena, “And even if you hadn’t…I’ve felt it,” she said as she reached a hand on Lena’s lap. “It would only do you a disservice to lie at this point. All evidence points against you. And I would know, I’m a reporter and I… gathered the evidence myself,” she said with a wink.

Lena’s lip quivered at the touch, the memory of Kara touching her gave her butterflies. She could lie perhaps, but her body couldn’t lie. Someone dropping a cup nearby broke the moment and brought her back to reality. She adjusted herself and sat up. Kara only noticed when Lena straightened up, the previous interruption not at all relevant to her. But now she slowly pulled back, her hand too.

“Still pretending to know me,” Lena pestered, an echo of their conversation in her yard so long ago. 

“I’ve always known you,” the blonde said with more seriousness. “I remember…when I saw you the first time, at your family’s trial.”

Lena held her breath at the unexpected words, her face dropping at the mention. 

“I had never seen you in person before. And I remember thinking… that you were so beautiful, that it caught me off guard,” Kara spoke tenderly. “It wasn’t what I was supposed to be thinking, I mean, it was the trial of the decade and I’d had a huge role in it coming to be. But I couldn’t help it.” 

Lena had felt that too, before, when she’d run into Kara that day at the school. Completely caught off guard by the blonde, and frankly, how beautiful she was, even if Lena hadn’t wanted to admit it then. At least it was some comfort to know she’d done the same to Kara all those years ago. She got a feeling like her and Kara had been linked since that day, and neither of them had any clue just how much, and how so many years later, that same link would bring them back together inexplicably. 

“And then I remember thinking that you looked terrified but you were doing an incredible job of pretending not to be. I don’t know what it was, maybe just a second that the facade slipped. Some part of me felt like you’d probably been pretending for a long time, and just no one had ever seen it,” the blonde finished. 

Lena let out a sigh and took a sip of the drink she’d left to get cold on the table. It was laughable or cryable just how true Kara’s words were. The blonde had truly clocked her since day one. Lena had in fact been terrified that day. The kind of sinking feeling she got when she was called to the stand was unmatched to anything she’d felt before. And all she could remember thinking was that she couldn’t let anyone intimidate her, not her mother, not Lex, not any lawyer. She had gone in with the purpose of telling the truth as she felt it, scared as she was. And to think, this whole time, Kara had seen that. Had seen her. She always had. 

“I was trying to keep it together,” Lena finally spoke, “but I was so conflicted about testifying. And I was so hurt and angry about how I’d been dragged into it all, and…scared.”  

“I know,” Kara said softly. “I remember thinking you were the bravest person I’d ever seen.”

Lena’s eyes jumped to Kara’s. Brave? Kara had thought she was brave? Out of all things people had called her, brave was not one of them. Traitor, manipulator, heartless bitch. But never brave. That kind of courage only came to Lena in moments these days. And she could use some of it now, so she mustered all she could. 

“Kara I’m so terribly s-” Lena was interrupted just as Dean came to their table in high enthusiasm.

Lena didn’t have a chance to finish her sentence, not when she was already recalling what she’d done, feeling as if Dean knew as well. She wondered if Kara had exposed her and if this child was about to look at her like the monster she was. Kara noted Lena’s momentary apprehension but said nothing. 

But the boy was none the wiser. He politely said hello to Lena and sat down, excited to see Logan compete. Lena felt the guilt rising but as she had planned to make amends, she curiously asked about school. But Dean only focused on sports and the teachers he liked. On the negative aspect he spoke of how boring some subjects and teachers were.  

Then Dean seemed more concerned about Logan’s competition. Lena relaxed and sat the rest of the time happy to share her anticipation with Kara and Dean. They watched rider after rider compete and Lena explained some things to Kara and Dean about the rules. They waited for Logan’s turn and after Logan got 3rd place, she hugged and congratulated him when he came up to the deck. She watched as Kara and Dean did the same in genuine care. Then they all sat together and ate lunch, Logan insisted, on Lena’s tab. The boys smiled and shared. Kara made them all laugh with silly jokes. And Lena found herself feeling a lot less lonely than she had in a long time, and a lot happier. It all felt so natural. It felt like this could be her life. It felt, for a while, like it was. 

---

Lena: This is a text. [6:15 p.m.]

Lena: More accurately, this is me texting you. [6:16 p.m.]

Kara: And this is me texting back [6:16 p.m.]

Kara: Is this what took you all weekend? [6:17 p.m.]

Lena: Eye roll emoji. [6:18 p.m.]

Lena: Sort of. [6:18 p.m.]

Lena: The nudes were going to come next but now I changed my mind. [6:18 p.m.]

Kara: Noooo [6:19 p.m.]

Kara sent a gif that read ‘send noods’ with a bowl of noodles. 

Lena: Cry laughing face emoji [6:21 p.m.]

Lena: So, what are you up to? [6:21 p.m.]

Kara: Busy doing a lot of ducking [6:23 p.m.]

Lena’s heart nearly dropped. Clearly a typo. And she wished she hadn’t texted at all now. She didn’t want to know anything about Kara… f ucking. But in spite of her stomach clenching and her pulse jumping, she played it cool. She had no right over Kara’s personal life whatsoever, and she had to act like it. 

Lena: You mean to say… fucking? [6:25 p.m.]

Kara: Flushed face emoji. No, I'm literally ducking [6:26 p.m.]

Kara: Dean and I are playing in the house and he’s shooting at me in the living room with his toy gun. [6:27 p.m.]

Kara: Hence why I’m ducking [6:27 p.m.]

Lena let out a breath of relief. Oh . Actual ducking. 

Lena: Right, of course. Ducking not d(f)ucking , forgive me. [6:28 p.m.]

Kara: Exactly, all ducking and no… ducking [6:29 p.m.]

Kara: I’ll excuse your dirty mind. Wink face emoji [6:29 p.m.]

Lena: Flushed face emoji. Thank you. [6:30 p.m.]

Lena: So… no actual… ducking lately? [6:31 p.m.]

She didn’t know why she’d asked. She clearly didn’t want to know. She certainly couldn't handle it as shown by mere minutes ago, but there she was asking, because she needed to know. 

Kara: Depends what you mean by lately. Last week, had a night full of mindbending ducking followed by a morning of some more incredible ducking , but none since I'm afraid  [6:31 p.m.]

Lena bit her lip hard. How did every conversation end up like this? Lena wasn’t actually complaining though, plus she had her own very big role to play in their conversations getting improper. Her fingers traced a bruise that Kara had left last week. The bruises were starting to heal by now. A shame really. 

Lena: How disappointing.  [6:32 p.m.]

Lena: The lack of ducking , that is. [6:32 p.m.]

Kara: It really is. Especially since I can’t stop thinking about the… ducking [6:33 p.m.]

Kara: And I mean, ever since, all I keep thinking is that I could be doing a lot of… ducking [6:33 p.m.]

Kara: or we could be [6:34 p.m.]

Lena audibly moaned. Thank goodness she was at her home, alone. Honesty was so much easier when it was about sex and desire. But actual feelings? She refused to talk about those, absolutely not. And in fairness, Kara wasn’t helping with her brazenness either.

Lena: Not sure you could handle that. [6:34 p.m.]

The lie. Kara had at least twice the stamina Lena did. If anything, it was Lena that couldn’t handle so much duc- fucking. 

Kara: You enjoy torturing me, don’t you? [6:34 p.m.]

Kara: I’d like to speak with the manager please.  [6:34 p.m.]

Kara: I have a formal complaint [6:34 p.m.]

Lena: The lady doth protest too much.  [6:35 p.m.]

Kara:  Oh, I'm no lady. But how about we start with those noods instead? [6:35 p.m.]

Lena: Evidently not just me who has a dirty mind. [6:35 p.m.]

Kara: I am a gentlewoman so what I meant was of course noodles, for dinner perhaps? [6:35 p.m.]

Lena bit her lip and smiled. Kara liked torturing right back, embarrassing her too, that was for sure. 

Lena: So you prefer nood(le)s? [6:36 p.m.]

Lena: For dinner, that is.  [6:36 p.m.]

Kara: I'm a big fan of nood(le)s, I have quite an appetite as you know.  [6:36 p.m.]

Kara: I'm sure your nood(le)s would be otherworldly  [6:37 p.m.]

Lena: Oh you have no idea how good my nood(le)s are.  [6:37 p.m.]

Kara: I would be very appreciative of them, for the record. [6:38 p.m.]

Lena: I’d actually prefer my nood(le)s be kept off the record actually. [6:38 p.m.]

Kara: Cry laughing face emoji.[6:38 p.m.]

Kara: But God knows live is much better, in case you change your mind and… you know, decide to cook live for me of course  [6:39 p.m.]

Lena: Like teppanyaki, you mean.  [6:39 p.m.]

Kara: What else would I mean? Wink face emoji.  [6:39 p.m.]

Lena: I did have you pegged for a live performance kind of girl.  [6:40 p.m.]

Kara: Is this you offering an encore?  [6:40 p.m.]

Lena: I haven't cooked for you live, yet  [6:40 p.m.]

Kara: Right, I meant, is this you offering a first time? Or is it the second time you offer?  [6:41 p.m.]

Kara: Not that I’m protesting, but you haven’t kept your promise to cook for me yet [6:41 p.m.]

Lena: But I’d still love to.  [6:41 p.m.]

Kara: You're really building up a lot of expectations for your cooking  [6:42 p.m.]

Lena: I make a delicious meal, I promise you that  [6:42 p.m.]

Kara: Oh I can attest to that, you were the most delicious meal I’d ever had. Drooling face emoji. [6:42 p.m.]

Lena blinked twice, realizing her own mistake with the message. The response sent a wave through her. She’d never been so glad to have made an accidental innuendo before. 

Lena: Still talking about my actual cooking [6:43 p.m.]

Kara: My bad! Getting my wires crossed  [6:43 p.m.]

Lena: Must be all the ducking around. [6:44 p.m.]

Kara: Laughing face emoji. All finished with ducking for now. Dean broke his toy gun unfortunately. Crying face emoji. [6:45 p.m.]

Lena: I’m sorry to hear that. [6:45 p.m.]

Lena: And also, to be frank, it’s not your fault you get your wires crossed with me. I can be confusing. [6:45 p.m.]

Kara: Maybe a little [6:46 p.m.]

Kara: But… did I send the wrong message? Should I not have texted the things I texted? [6:47 p.m.]

Lena: Definitely not. [6:47 p.m.]

Lena: I'm blushing too hard, someone's bound to notice. It’s highly inappropriate. [6:47 p.m.]

Kara: um… [6:48 p.m.]

Lena: I did it again, didn't I? Sending mixed signals? [6:48 p.m.]

Kara: Something like that. Can’t say I hate it though. Keeps me on my toes [6:48 p.m.]

Lena: You like danger Danvers. [6:49 p.m.]

Kara: ‘Danger Danvers’ is what they called me in highschool  [6:49 p.m.]

Lena: I somehow can’t imagine you getting into trouble as a teen, Kara “Sunshine” Danvers.  [6:50 p.m.]

Kara: You think I’m sunshine? 3 Happy face emojis. [6:50 p.m.] 

Lena: Is there anyone who doesn’t? [6:50 p.m.]

Kara: I would have guessed you. Thought you’d scurry away like a vampire at seeing me, but… I guess not [6:51 p.m.]

Lena: I usually do run when there’s a dash of sun involved. My teenage self could attest to that. But recently… I’ve changed my mind about… sun exposure. [6:51 p.m.]  

Kara: Don’t forget sunscreen though. Sunglasses face emoji.  [6:52 p.m.]

Lena: Of course not.  [6:52 p.m.]

Kara: What were you like as a teen?  [6:53 p.m.]

Lena: All goth and no sunshine. I was quite the rebel.  [6:53 p.m.]

Kara: I’d kill to see an old picture of you [6:54 p.m.]

Kara: Or maybe just to see you [6:54 p.m.]

Kara: In general I mean [6:54 p.m.]

Kara… missed her? Lena missed her too, so damn much even though she’d barely just seen her yesterday. She took a breath and texted before she regretted it. 

Lena: I’d like to see you too. Are you free next Friday? I’ll make chinese? I’ll bet you I can do better than Noonan’s. [6:56 p.m.]

Kara: You are playing with fire Luthor, better than Noonan’s? That’s a tall order [6:56 p.m.]

Lena: I’ll tread carefully then. [6:56 p.m.]

Lena: On second thought, I’ve never done that before. I can kick Noonan’s ass, guaranteed. [6:57 p.m.]

Kara: You really know how to tempt a woman… keep talking…[6:57 p.m.]

Lena: Let’s just say… you’ll get your nood(le)s after all. Wink face emoji. [6:58 p.m.]

Kara: I’d say to consider me completely tempted, unfortunately, I can’t next Friday. [6:58 p.m.]

Lena: Rain check? [6:58 p.m.]

Kara: Definitely a rain check on that date.  [6:59 p.m.]

Kara: Next Friday, by the way, is Dean’s birthday and we were going to celebrate. Nothing big, but in fact, I wanted to invite you and Logan to come over. We’re just going to play board games with family and friends, order in, eat some cake. He’d really love Logan there. He’s practically his only friend. [6:59 p.m.]

Kara: I was going to get to this sooner, don’t think that I’m inviting you just cuz you caught me or anything. But I got a little distracted, on the subject of nood(le)s and all that. [7:01 p.m.]

Lena: Logan would be delighted, I’m sure. Of course he’ll be there. [7:01 p.m.]

Kara: You’re welcome to come too [7:02 p.m.]

Lena sighed and debated what to text. 

Lena: I don’t think that’s a good idea. [7:03 p.m.]

Kara: It’s entirely up to you, but the invite stands. [7:03 p.m.]

Kara: Logan can come over directly after school by the way. That way they can have all day together. [7:04 p.m.]

Lena: He loves the bus. I’ll pick him up later at night. [7:05 p.m.]

Kara: If you change your mind, just pass by at any time. We have board games for days. And it’s more fun with more people. [7:05 p.m.]

Lena: I’ll consider it. Thank you for the invite. [7:05 p.m.]

Kara: Of course. Take care. See you soon [7:06 p.m.]

Lena: You too. [7:06 p.m.]

Kara: By the way, will I see you at their basketball game this week? [7:06 p.m.]

Lena: You might. [7:06 p.m.]

Kara: I'll save you a seat. [7:07 p.m.]

Lena looked at a mirror only to find herself smiling silly. Sam was right, Kara did melt her entirely. Goodbye Ice Queen, hello puddle of water. 

---

“You made it!” Kara called out to Lena as she made her way through the bleachers at another basketball game. 

“Of course,” Lena smiled as Kara pointed at the seat next to her, which the blonde had reserved for her, as promised. 

“You’ve met Alex and Kelly,” Kara joked as she pointed to her sister and sister-in-law to her other side. “And the little girl sleeping on Kelly’s lap is Esme, their daughter. I think you saw her that morning at my house.”

“It’s good to see you both,” Lena politely said. She’d indeed caught a glimpse of the child but she’d been much too preoccupied with other matters that morning at Kara’s.

“You too,” Kelly kindly replied. 

“Yeah, you too,” Alex said, if a little unconvincingly. Still, Lena could note she was visibly less confrontational than every other time she and Alex had interacted. 

Lena sat down next to Kara as the blonde cheered and the game began. 

“So an interesting thing happened today,” Kara said to Lena, as both were focused on the game in front. “Dean got a letter. Someone left it in his locker.”

Lena swallowed nervously. She knew about the letter alright. Sam had helped write it. She just didn’t know how well it had been received. “Oh yeah?”

“It was an apology for another thing that had been found in his locker. It said that the prank had nothing to do with him, it hadn’t been his fault and he hadn’t deserved it,” Kara cut herself off and stood along with Alex to cheer for a basket Dean had scored, before sitting back down. “The perpetrator, who remained anonymous, said they were terribly sorry and promised never to do anything like that again.”

Lena swallowed, her eyes fixed on the game though she wasn’t really watching. “And how did Dean take it?” 

“Well, for starters, he thought someone’s mom must have helped the kid write the letter, because who writes those anymore?” Kara said with a smirk. 

Lena closed her eyes, a little embarrassed. She’d thought about doing it another way. But kids these days were too good with technology, maybe as good as her. She was afraid Dean would find her digital fingerprint. That was unlikely. He was a preteen and not exactly tech savvy enough to be a hacker, but for this situation, Lena figured a little paranoia wouldn’t be terrible. 

“Second,” Kara explained, “he accepted it right away. Said it was really nice of whoever was responsible to apologize even if they couldn’t do it in person. And that despite it all, he hadn’t gotten into actual trouble, and that it was good to go through tough things sometimes because they build character, like Alex tells him.”

“Do you think he would have preferred an apology face to face?” Len asked. 

“No, I think he’s good,” Kara said. “Defense!” she yelled at the boys playing. 

Lena let out a breath she was holding. “He’s a really good child, incredibly mature for his age. You’ve raised him exceptionally well,” she said honestly, turning to Kara this time. 

“Nah,” Kara said, catching Lena’s attention. “I mess him up all the time too. Don’t think it’s perfect.”

Funny how Kara could so easily admit to being a bad mom sometimes, whereas Lena would sooner be buried alive. She had a lot to learn from the blonde. After all, all mothers made mistakes, no parenting was going to be perfect. Being a mother was freaking hard. Kara’s speech rung true to her just now. No wonder Kara had won the vote for PTA President. Even Lena would now vote for someone who was flawed but trying like Kara over someone who pretended to be perfect and held themselves (and others) to an impossibly high standard like her. If Lena’s push for perfection had never helped anyone, maybe Kara’s forgiving approach would. Who needed more compassion than a mother? All she’d wanted to do was help, but Lena had been going about it the wrong way. 

But, taking a lesson from Kara, she’d try to forgive herself and do better. And from now on, she’d try to find a better way to help mothers. Somehow. More than apologies, she owed the blonde so many thanks. Lena had been staring at the game but not watching as her frown grew. She turned to Kara. 

“Kara, I’m sor-” Another basket and another loud cheer from the crowd cut Lena off. 

“What was that?” Kara asked. 

“I’m thankful that you saved me a seat,” she backpedaled. 

“Oh, sure, no problem. You are planning on staying here the whole game, right?” 

“Yes, why wouldn’t I?” 

“Well, last time you kind of ran off, missed the happy ending,” Kara said, her lips tilting just the slightest bit up.  

The memory of that day ran through Lena’s mind and it made her wet all over. 

“I don’t know what you mean, I got my happy ending . But I did miss the end of the game,” Lena said coyly, a lip bite followed. There was slight guilt at the reminder that she’d let Kara get her off but hadn’t returned the favor that day, more concerned with getting caught than giving back. Though in hindsight, it was the wiser choice considering Andrea’s untimely appearance. 

Kara bit her lip at the response and grinned, as if the comment barely took her by surprise. “Wouldn’t want to do that again.”

“Certainly not… miss the game, that is,” Lena responded, licking her lips slowly. 

“And the other part?” Kara asked subtly, her eyes back on the players. 

Lena held a breath and let it out. “I’d be… very open to that, if you are,” she admitted. Gosh, she might actually miss the game again because Kara was giving her that look, a look that ate her alive in merely seconds. A look that promised so much. But Lena decided to keep it in her pants today. She was here for Logan and she would watch the game even if every now and then her mind went to ways that Kara could make her come right there, in public, unnoticed. 

Another round of loud cheering jarred Lena out of her arousal. 

Kara’s prolonged silence worried her. And then…

“I have been meaning to peruse the school grounds, check it out because I haven’t gotten the chance to get to know the school properly. Maybe you can… show me around someday,” the blonde teased.  

Lena bit her lip so hard, it nearly bled. So many classrooms, and oh so many thoughts of Kara fucking her in every single one, and then some others about Kara fucking her in the PTA conference room too. The possibilities were plenty. “I’d love to someday.”

Kara gave her devilish grin in return, which Lena couldn’t return because Alex looked their way, and Lena’s entire focus returned to the game, and not Kara. 

At some moment or other during the game, Kara bought honest-to-god hotdogs and popcorn from some moms. To sell food at the games had been an idea proposed by Lena in the PTA, but she’d never actually bought a thing during the games. She almost found it hard to believe others would. But when Kara offered her some popcorn and bought her a hotdog without asking, so Lena took it with a blush and ate it. She hadn’t had a hotdog in years, and it was surprisingly edible. And the popcorn wasn’t terrible either. 

“You’re so cute baby,” Lena heard, somewhere between her focus on the game and a daydream. 

“What?” she asked Kara, her own cheeks getting red. 

“Such a cute baby,” Kara repeated, pointing to a baby some bleachers down that was smiling at her.

“Oh, right.” Lena was disappointed. She’d been picturing herself and Kara here often, cheering on their kids, feeding each other popcorn, Kara actually calling her baby and- oh God, not the mundane couple fantasies again. 

Lena, fortunately or not, decided to develop instant clumsiness and dropped her popcorn all over the ground. Kara insisted on them sharing hers, and every time their hands accidentally touched while reaching for it, Lena felt the electricity. And sitting there in the game, once again, she allowed that welcoming feeling that made her want to lean her head on Kara’s and cozy up to her. That feeling that this was all so domestic in the best of ways. That this could be her life, if she hadn’t messed it up. 

She wished there was something she could do just to keep Kara there for a little longer, alas, the game ended eventually. And she and Logan made their way outside. Lena couldn’t help but notice that she gravitated towards Kara, and of course so did Alex and Kelly. So they ended up all exiting the school together. Lena would have felt like the odd one out except for that previous feeling that tricked her into thinking there was nothing odd about this at all, as if she and Logan fit perfectly into Kara’s family, and Kara into hers.

She told Logan to beat her to the car while she stayed back.

“Kelly, do you have a moment?” Lena asked as Alex and Kelly were leaving, aware that the rest were listening, and that Alex’s eyebrow shot up. 

“Yeah, sure,” Kelly answered and turned to Alex. “I’ll catch up with you.” 

Alex quickly stared at Lena, then back at Kelly and nodded. “Alright,” she kissed Kelly goodbye and disappeared down the hall with Esme, Dean and Kara, who kindly moved away too, giving them their privacy. 

“I wanted to thank you again for your kindness to me when I needed it most,” Lena said to Kelly. 

“You’re very welcome. I’m happy that I was able to help,” Kelly graciously accepted the gratitude. Already, Lena liked that about her. A quiet confidence she’d not previously noticed but which was always there. 

“Is that app you’re developing as good as you are?” Lena asked.

Kelly chuckled, “It’s difficult to make technology empathetic, but I certainly hope it’s got enough value to help many more people than I can with my limited time.”

Lena couldn’t help but smile. A well thought and genuine answer. She began to understand why Sam liked Kelly so much. “Well, if it’s anywhere near as good, there are some interesting A.I. solutions in the mental health area I’ve been reading about. I think they’d work well with your app.” 

“Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. I had thought about A.I. There are some wonderful advancements right now, but my current efforts are focused on finding an investor and business partner that can help me further develop the app and test it.”

“I see. Well, as of now, you can focus your efforts on how to make the best app. I’m sure your energy is better spent there than searching for financing.”

Kelly’s mouth opened and her brows furrowed. “I don’t understand. You mean to say that…”

“That you have an investor and business partner, should you want me, of course.”

“You?” Kelly asked, her eyes wide. 

“Sam has told me enough about your app to know it’s going to be incredible. And I’ve seen enough of your abilities to know you are brilliant at what you do. She might also have shared the pitch for investors. Suffice to say I’m impressed. That doesn’t happen often. So, if you’ll take my investment, yes, me.”

“That pitch was mostly Sam. I’m so glad she shared it with you. This has been a quiet dream of mine for years.” 

“I’m glad too.”

Kelly beamed, taking it in. “Oh my goodness. This is real. Wow, Lena, that’s incredibly generous. Yes, of course, I’d love to discuss the possibilities of you coming on as an investor and partner.”

Lena smiled back. “I promise I won’t be overbearing. It’s not my style… anymore,” she added with levity. “What is my style is to make sure things succeed, that they reach markets, that they grow, and that they help a lot of people.” 

“I… am speechless, I’m really excited for what’s to come.”

“Oh, and, in case it’s your kind of thing, I also focus on making money, a lot of it. As in never-work-a-day-in-your-life kind of money, if all goes well. Assuming that’s something you care about.”

“Yes, it is, we do, yeah,” Kelly blurted out. It was the first time Lena had seen her too excited to hold her words. “This means more than you can imagine,” Kelly added. “We’ve been searching for opportunities to stay more at home with Esme.”

“I have high expectations of course, but if all goes well, then… it’ll go well for us all,” Lena said. 

“Thank you Lena, I really appreciate it,” Kelly spoke. 

“Don’t thank me yet. I’ll be in touch, so we can set up a meeting this week,” Lena stated. 

---

Jess had set up a meeting with Kelly just a day later (her last task as Lena’s assistant). Kelly, Sam and Lena had sat through most of it but they were about to get into the financials when Kelly’s phone rang. 

Lena recognized the school number. And she also recognized the worry in Kelly’s tone as she took the call. 

“Lena, I’m so sorry, but I have to go,” Kelly spoke in concern. 

“Is everything alright?” Sam asked. 

“Something happened with Esme again, at school, and Alex can’t go today, so I have to. I’m so terribly sorry to cut this short.”

“It’s alright. Your daughter is a priority, of course,” Lena said compassionately. She took notice of the word ‘again’. 

“Thank you for understanding,” Kelly said as she left in a hurry. 

“I hope everything’s okay,” Sam spoke after Kelly had left. 

“Let’s go find out,” Lena said. 

“What?” 

“It’s a school issue, I’m the President of the PTA,” Lena stated. 

Sam gave her a look.

 “Don’t worry, I only have the title for a little while longer before I have to give it to Kara by the end of the month. But I’m genuinely concerned for Esme. If it’s a school related thing, I can help. And she said ‘again’. What if there’s a a recurring problem that hasn’t been brought to my attention?” 

Sam stood. “Alright, let’s go I guess. Show me what it is you do as PTA President, impress me,” she teased. 

 

---

Lena and Sam arrived in time to see Kelly arguing with the counselor and the director of elementary. Lena couldn’t call it arguing really; Kelly seemed upset but was handling it gracefully, whatever it was. The counselor, on the other hand, was louder than acceptable. And the director stood there watching it unfold. 

“What’s going on here?” Lena asked.

“Lena?” Kelly was surprised to see her. 

“We’re discussing with Mrs. Olsen-Danvers her daughter’s unacceptable behavior. It’s not the first time she’s been out of line with the teachers and other students,” the director explained. 

“And it’s like she doesn’t want to get better,” the counselor spoke. 

“She doesn’t want to get better? She’s 5,” Kelly jumped in. “And what she needs is a supportive counselor that has the appropriate background-”

“This again, you attacking my credentials, like I’m some kind of idiot-”

“Alright. Enough,” Lena jumped in. “She didn’t attack your credentials and no one thinks you're an idiot, unless you think that of yourself, seeing as how you brought it up,” she said to the counselor. He was so taken aback that he didn’t say another word. 

“Kelly, would you mind giving us a moment,” Lena asked. And Kelly nodded and left the room. 

Lena gave Sam a knowing look and Sam sat nearby, excited to see Lena handle this. 

In the moment she took with the counselor and the principal, Lena discovered a few things. First, that the counselor was a jerk, and really did lack the credentials, but he was a charmer, in spite of what she had seen earlier. Kelly must get on his nerves, she figured. Second, that the director was wrapped around the counselor’s finger because of his charming personality. Which meant that the counselor had to go. And third, that the director really wanted to impress Lena and had plenty ideas for it. All of this had a natural (and beneficial) conclusion as Lena immediately saw it. And she acted on it right away.

Then she went to see Kelly in the next office over. 

“Kelly, tell me what’s wrong,” Lena asked. 

Kelly sighed in exhaustion. “It’s been a difficult time. Esme has been acting out. And Alex and I feel like she needs more help in school. The counselor hasn’t been effective. I keep clashing with him about methods and…” she sighed again. “Alex and I can’t afford to get her someone that can sit with her during school and help her. And on top of that we had hoped that I could cut back some hours from work and stay home more, like we hoped, but we can’t afford that either right now.”

“Alright, I suspected.”

Kelly nodded in distress. 

“Do you happen to know any good counselors?” Lena asked. 

“What?” Kelly was taken aback. 

“We’re replacing this one. And the director apparently had a program up her sleeve about teacher aids that could dedicate time to students in need. Not to mention a training program for all teachers that would help them learn how to best handle students that might be… neurodivergent, like Esme.” Lena hoped she hadn’t stepped over a line. 

Kelly’s frown disappeared and was replaced by a genuine smile. Lena watched her shoulders drop. 

“You know, originally I thought you’d be a good addition to L Corp,” Lena said. “And then Sam told me about the app. Which, I didn’t get a chance to tell you sooner, I’m completely in on the offer you asked for, the one on the presentation you sent Sam that we didn’t finish going through today.”

Kelly beamed at the response as Lena went on. 

“Now, you should know that the app and all further digital assets might take 1 to 3 years to become profitable. So here’s what I’m thinking; I still need someone at L Corp. I’ll offer you a very competitive salary, and you can work your own hours, at home if you wish, until the app becomes profitable and you can then help me find your replacement.”

“Lena, this is… incredible. I have no words, just… Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Kelly smiled at the words, echoing their previous conversation. 

“How did I do? Did I impress you?” Lena asked Sam as they left the school. 

Sam smiled at Lena. “Alright, I kinda get it now. It’s fun being PTA President. It’s kinda like when you were CEO at L Corp. Listening, solving problems.”

“Is it?” Lena asked as they walked to the car.

“Yeah, and you like it. You like helping people Lena, it’s obvious to me. Now, I don’t know if you’ve always handled problems like this or not. If you have, then those moms are really ungrateful.”

“Sometimes I just see the solution. It seems easy to me, simple. It doesn’t seem like that to the other parents, or it didn’t.”

“So what? You’d force the solution on them? Is that why they hated you?” 

“I never said they hated me,” Lena replied. Sam gave her a look. “Perhaps that wasn’t wisest, to impose my ideas,” Lena agreed. “And I’ll admit I did have high standards, put a lot of pressure on the kids and moms.”

“Yeah, that’s just a little bit of you. Cuz you’ve always pressured yourself. It wasn’t like you to impose solutions when you ran L Corp. At least not when you didn’t have to.” Sam unlocked her car and they both got in. 

“At L Corp we had very capable people. I chose my teams and we picked the best of the best. People understood what was expected of them. It’s entirely different to be dealing with hundreds of parents with different parenting styles and ideas and who don’t have the same values and objectives.”

“Yeah, what a mess. Aren’t you glad you handed it over to Kara?” 

“Handed it over?” Lena gave her a look. 

Sam laughed. “We both know you weren’t going to relinquish the title willingly. You needed someone to take it.”

“I suppose. I am grateful now, strange as it sounds. I’ve been thinking of how I can redirect my energy moving forward.”

“Finally, yes! You’ll come up with something. You’re brilliant and the world could still use you.”

“Thank you Sam. On another subject, are you doing something Friday?” Lena asked. “I was hoping you could come over and then later we can pick Logan up from Kara’s. He’s invited to Dean’s birthday party.”

“You just assume I have no plans on a Friday night?” 

Lena tilted her head and a brow at her. 

“Cuz you’re right,” Sam gave in. 

---

 

“You changed your mind after all,” Kara said with a grin as she opened the door for Lena during Dean’s birthday party at her house. 

“Actually, I texted that I was picking him up, but I suppose you didn’t get the text,” Lena said with a small grimace. 

“Oh, but we’re still playing board games and we haven’t gotten to the cake yet,” Kara lamented. “You have to come in.”

“Actually my friend Sam is in the car waiting for us.”

“She can come too, the more the merrier,” Kara said as she looked to the car waiting in front of her house and began making her way to it, past Lena. 

Sam lowered the window as Kara reached the car. “Sam? I’m Kara.”

“Yes you are. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Sam said from inside the car with a smile.

“I know you guys are here to pick Logan up but we haven’t cut the cake yet. Any chance you’re into board games?”

Sam glanced at Lena behind the blonde. Lena shook her head. “What kind?” Sam asked. 

“We have a pretty decent selection. We have campaign, cooperative, abstract, card, destructive. That last one isn’t a category, but we call it that because my sister Alex goes a little overboard and that’s how our relationship ends up afterwards.”

Sam chuckled. Lena was still shaking her head behind Kara, her eyes widening at Sam, telling her to refuse the invite. But was Sam going to refuse to observe Lena around Kara, to finally witness the effect of the blonde directly on her best friend? Absolutely not.  

“You had me at decent,” Sam said as she changed the car into reverse so she could park it properly. “I’ve been looking for something fun to do on Friday nights since forever. And don’t tell this Alex what I’m about to tell you, but I’m so fucking good at board games.”

Kara smiled wide and backed away from the window. “Perfect. And I won’t say a word. You can park right on the drive way.” She made her way back to her door where Lena was. “Sam’s staying,” she said excitedly. 

Of course she was. Lena eyed her friend who winked at her. “You might regret that,” she told Kara. 

“Why? She seems great.”

“Oh, she is. But I still have to give you a fair warning. She’s my best friend and she can be intimidating. But don’t let the face fool you, she’s a sweetheart when she wants to be.”

“Like you then?”

“Absolutely not!” Lena fought back.

Kara sniggered. “Sure,” she said with a wink. “Everyone’s gonna be so excited with you guys. Now we can play the games we never get to try cuz we’re not enough people.”

Sam made her way to the door. 

“I’m so excited,” Kara said. 

Sam stared at Kara. She looked at her from top to bottom. Sam said nothing and walked up to her, and stood inches away from her face. She glared intensely at Kara, who stood there innocently looking back. Lena wasn’t sure what was going on, but Sam’s eyes were terrorizing. 

“Aren’t you scared?” Sam whispered to Kara. 

“Um, should I be?” Kara replied.

Sam clenched her jaw and breathed heavily. Was Lena about to witness a murder?

Then Sam relaxed and smiled. “No, no reason you should be. And I’m excited too. You have no idea how much,” Sam said with an evil grin towards Lena. 

Lena deflated and so did Kara. The blonde smiled and was back to normal. 

“Come on in, let me introduce you to everyone you haven’t met yet,” Kara said as she led the way inside her house and Lena and Sam followed. 

Oh, dear God. Sam was going to have her fun tonight, watching her around Kara, Lena just knew it. As if Lena didn’t have enough to worry about, going into Kara’s house with her friends and family all together, unarmed and unprepared. 

“Everyone, we have two new competitors!” Kara excitedly opened her arms towards Lena and Sam as they came into the living room where Alex, Kelly, Nia, Dean and Logan were all sitting.  

“Hello,” Lena spoke softly. 

“What up?” Sam greeted casually. 

“Mom!” Logan jumped to greet his mother in a hug. He quickly did the same with Sam. “We’re staying longer?” he asked. Lena nodded at him. 

“Sam, hey!” Kelly got out of her seat and greeted Sam with a hug. 

Nia looked at Lena curiously, as if wondering what would happen next and simply waved hello at them both. 

“I’m gonna check on the popcorn real quick,” Kara said as she disappeared into the kitchen. Lena almost stopped her and begged to not be left there. 

Alex slowly stood, her eyes scanning both Sam and Lena. “Hey.”

“I finally get to meet the wife,” Sam said as she eyed Alex right back, stepping forward it felt almost like a shield to Lena. 

“In the flesh,” Alex responded. 

“I’ve heard almost nothing but good things.”

Alex raised a brow. “Almost?”

“Your gaming reputation precedes you. And if I’m not mistaken you have literally killed, stolen, tricked, and outright lied to your wife,” Sam said, her face half-serious.

“That’s how the games are played!” Alex quickly responded, a smile escaping her. She turned to Kelly. “Starting with the smack talk already. Let’s see how she can handle herself under pressure,” she said as she pointed towards the gaming table, inviting Sam more than Lena, but Lena went forward anyway. 

“Oh, I thrive under pressure. You don’t become a CEO of L Corp at my age unless you’re a masochist,” Sam stated as she dropped her bag by the door and took a seat. 

“Alex is a masochist too, you’ll fit right in. I’m Nia Nal,” said the woman as she extended a hand to Sam .

“Hi Nia, please tell me, what is Alex’s weakness? I have but one goal tonight, and it’s to dethrone the queen of board games.”

“How do you know it’s me?” Alex quipped back. 

“So it isn’t?”

“Oh no, it’s definitely me. And you’re out of your mind if you think you’ll ever get anywhere near my crown,” Alex retorted, both she and Sam squinted at each other playfully. 

“Actually,” Lena jumped in, earning everyone’s attention. “I’m pretty sure I’m the only one here with a nickname that has the word ‘Queen’ in it.”

There was a short silence. 

“Too soon?” Lena asked.

Nia laughed, the only one that appreciated the joke apparently. 

Luckily, Sam jumped in to save the moment. “Well there can only be one queen, Lena. What do you say you and I take on Alex and Kelly and show them how things are done. Defend your title.”

“You threaten me in my own house?” Alex exaggerated, enjoying herself.

Alex didn’t seem too keen on joking with Lena, but somehow didn’t mind so much with Sam. Lena was now grateful that Sam had agreed to come down and be a buffer. She didn’t want Kara to take on the entire burden. 

“It’s actually my house,” Kara said, reappearing from the kitchen with several bowls of popcorn she was close to dropping. 

“Lena, take a seat,” Kelly politely gestured. 

Kara sat and made space for Lena to sit right next to her, their knees brushing together, of which Nia took notice. Dean and Logan were next to them. They were all in a square, every two next to each other. 

Lena could feel Alex’s eyes on her. And Nia’s. Kelly’s too occasionally. Was she wearing a clown nose or something? If Lena didn’t have experience with people staring at her imagining the worst things about her she’d be sweating cold. 

“You good?” Kara asked in a whisper. “If anyone makes you uncomfortable, just tell me.”

“I’m good, I can handle myself,” Lena reassured her. Kara smiled. Lena turned to Logan. “Are you having a good time?” she asked. 

“Yeah. Alex is kicking our butts though,” he responded, a smile on his face. 

Kara turned to Lena. “She refuses to lose for anyone, not even the kids,” the blonde eyed her sister. 

“It’s a game! They need to learn!” Alex justified. “Now, since you guys are here, you can watch the rest of this one, then we’ll change it up.”

“Fine by me. Gives you time to prepare for losing,” Sam told Alex. 

Alex smirked. “I like this one,” she told Kelly, audible to everyone there. 

Lena found herself envious. She wished Alex would like her too. But the night was young. And Lena could play the long game. 

---

The first board game had landed Lena in an unfortunate position. It was down to just her and Alex by the last round of it and the woman was fiercely competitive. At least the kids seemed to be amused. Lena would have been enjoying herself, if it weren’t for the fact that most of the game was accompanied by outright hostility from Alex, usually disguised by game related remarks, until what came next.  

“How does it feel?” Alex asked. 

Lena was considering her next move when she realized Alex was speaking to her. 

“How does what feel?”

“Losing to another Danvers?” Alex said with a smirk, her game cards in her hand. 

“Alex,” Kara stepped in. 

“It’s alright Kara,” Lena said softly, “I can handle a little taunting. It’s just a game after all.” She turned back to Alex cooly, “I haven’t lost yet. I wouldn’t get too arrogant if I were you.” She played her next card.

“You know, I have to say that watching you lose again will be as gratifying as the first time,” Alex kept pushing. “You know, when you lost the PTA Presidency by a landslide to Kara.” Alex played right after.

“Alex, seriously!” Kara once again stepped in. She almost looked like she was physically about to get out of her chair to fight her sister. Lena would have found it cute if she weren’t so engrossed in the game and her verbal spar with Alex. Actually, it was still so damn cute.  

The rest of the party sat quietly and watched this battle unfold. Lena could tell Nia and Sam were just starting to get interested. Logan and Dean were quietly watching, oblivious to the tension or in the very least attributing it to the game. Kara on the other hand seemed highly tense, as did Kelly. 

But Alex ignored her sister and kept speaking. “I have been euphoric since Kara won, just thinking about all the cheer rallies I won’t have to go to, or the bake sale meetings, just a general lack of meetings so that I can live my life and be a mom. Life is going to get sooo good when Kara takes over, right Kar?” she finished just as her watch rang, a watch Lena was all too familiar with. 

If Lena could, she would have grabbed Kara and kissed her right in front of Alex just to spite her. But alas, she had to be civil. 

“Perhaps life will get good for you in the future. In the meantime, I’m PTA president until the end of the month, and I’ve been thinking of really making the most of it. So much to do before I leave, so many meetings that require all mothers present,” Lena went on the offensive.

Alex’s smile dropped. Lena could see her already imagining all the events Lena would put on the schedule just to annoy her, and oh, Lena was capable of that. But in truth, she had no meetings planned, nor was she going to put them on any schedule and follow through with her threats. She was taking this last month with ease, slowly letting go. She’d even say she was slacking off, but Alex didn’t have to know that.

Alex took a breath and played her last card. “Either way, looks like losing to a Danvers is going to become part of your life now.”

Lena smirked. “That watch you’re wearing, it’s nice.”

“It’s from the Hard-Working Mom line,” Alex said. 

“Alex loves that brand. Is kind of obsessed with it. Has to have every new item as soon as it’s out.” Kara commented, a wide smile on her face. “In fact, isn’t that originally my watch?”

“Oh really?” Lena said with a raised brow, hiding a smile of her own as Kara sent a knowing look her way. 

“Yeah, I mean they’re super cool,” Alex stated matter of factly. “And you weren’t taking full advantage of it, so I took it off your hands,” she said to her sister.

“Literally,” Kara stated.  

“I’m happy to have another satisfied customer,” Lena said, her smirk now showing. 

“What?” Alex frowned. 

“I own the company.”

“Isn’t that great?” Nia spoke, hiding her smirk. Lena could tell she was having the time of her life watching this unfold. 

“And, as for losing to a Danvers, let’s keep that condition to just the one Danvers, shall we?” she said as she played her last card.

The room was filled with a collective acknowledgement of Lena’s win from the kids and grownups alike.

“You guys should have joined game night way sooner,” Lena heard Nia whisper to Sam. “And does this mean we get a discount from that store now?” 

---

Round two went better. For Lena that is. Not so much for Alex. They were in a game of teams, and Lena found out that she and Kara were pretty good at games together. Surprisingly, Kara managed to do well considering every time Lena looked at her, she was looking right back. And this was a game of focus, yet all Kara’s focus seemed to be on Lena. 

“I can’t tell if I’m enjoying this or getting worried that Alex is going to go back to her bad mood,” Nia commented as she, Alex, Kelly and Dean struggled to finish their team challenge before the other team. 

“What? I haven’t been in a bad mood,” Alex stated as she pushed Nia aside to work on the challenge.

Nia rolled her eyes, “You’ve been in a mood for like 3 months, except for last week when you finally got back to normal.”

“Kelly, I love you, but are you even helping?” Alex asked, irritated as she watched the other team progress faster. 

Kelly gave her a look and focused on winning. “Alex is avoiding answering you Nia because you’re right.”

Alex pursed her lips. “This is what happens when you marry a therapist,” she said amusingly. 

Kelly didn’t take it to heart. 

“So who took the stick out of your butt?” Nia asked as she pushed Alex to try and help and got shoved right back. 

“I didn’t have a stick up my butt, but things have been better with Esme and school,” Alex said vaguely. 

Lena looked up from her game. “How’s the school treating her?”

Lena’s question brought Alex to an abrupt halt. She looked at Lena for a couple of seconds, then her sister. “Kara, I told you not to tell her about Esme!” She called her sister out from the other side of the table. 

“What? I didn’t say a thing,” Kara defended as she, Logan and Sam kept working on the game.

“Actually I did,” Kelly admitted. 

“What?” Alex turned to Kelly in surprise. All of Alex’s interest in the game was gone.

“Finished!” Logan yelled when his team had finished. “We win!” 

Alex sighed at the loss for a moment, then focused back on Kelly. 

Sam, at noticing the escalation, told the boys to take a quick break and get some more snacks from the kitchen and went along with them.

“I got called into school and I knew you couldn’t go because you were working a case that day. And it happened in the middle of the meeting with Lena,” Kelly explained. 

“Meeting with Lena? You said you were meeting with a possible investor for the app,” Alex said.

“I was. The investor is Lena,” Kelly said. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up which is why I hadn’t told you sooner. Then I had planned a special night to tell you the good news but I guess now was as good a time as any.”

Alex opened her mouth and closed it. Lena could see her processing the situation. 

“The good news being that…” Alex spoke.

“That Lena’s investing in my app,” Kelly nodded. 

Alex was silent for a moment. 

“Whaat?! Congratulations!” Kara said right away, hugging her friend. Nia followed. 

“Thank you,” Kelly said. 

Alex blinked twice. “Kelly that’s… amazing. I’m just…thrown by this and… what does the Esme thing have to do with this?” Alex asked. 

“I had to leave in the middle of the meeting with Lena to go to school. And Lena, and Sam, followed me. Once there, I explained the issue and Lena offered to help. She’s the reason that Esme has a teacher aid, and that there’s a new counselor this week. Lena is the reason that things are looking up with Esme at school.”

“And the reason for Alex’s good mood,” Nia concluded. 

Kelly nodded gently. 

Alex turned to Lena. “ You’re paying for the teacher aid?”

“Actually, the school is. We had some funds from that pool that never got built,” Lena responded with a small shrug. 

“And I suppose I might as well tell you and everyone that I will be quitting Obsidian North to go work at L Corp,” Kelly stated. 

“What?” Alex let out in a whisper. 

“The app will take a while to possibly become profitable, especially since we’re going to be focusing on creating an online network and community. Until then, Lena has offered me a position as the head of L Corp’s Safety and User Care Department.”

Alex looked at Lena. Her face angry? Surprised? Lena had yet to decipher the other Danvers.

“And I believe in the 4 hour work week,” Lena thought it good to say. 

“Since when?” Sam jumped in with humor, having come back from the kitchen just seconds ago with the two boys, carrying snacks. 

“We have unlimited paid vacations,” Lena continued. This was a chance to win Alex over. “And Kelly can work from home if she wishes. As long as everything gets done I agreed not to ask about the work hours. And when the time comes, should Kelly choose to focus on her home and the app become profitable, she has agreed to help me find another head of the department.”

“So this is about to get even more entangled?” Nia participated, a little too excited. “And Lena’s your new boss?” she asked Kelly. 

“Technically she’ll be reporting to me,” Sam stated.

Kelly turned back to Alex, who was still overwhelmed. She walked towards her wife, placing her arms on Alex’s shoulders gently. “The pay is better than Obsidian, the hours too. It’s a leap in the direction of what we wanted.”

Alex blinked several times, taking it all in before she finally spoke. “Kelly, this is amazing. I’m… so damn proud of you. This is what you’ve wanted, what we’ve both wanted and I couldn't be happier that you’re getting it,” she said. Lena could have sworn she saw her eyes tear up. 

Kelly beamed as she leaned in to kiss Alex. Alex held her back tightly. 

Nia playfully covered Dean and Logan’s eyes, Sam their ears for no good reason, making the boys giggle. 

Kara looked upon Lena lovingly. Lena felt her heart leap from just that. 

After Kelly and Alex pulled away from the kiss, Kara pounced on both of them, congratulating them loudly and violently, shaking her sister in excitement and jumping in elation. 

Nia joined in and then began jumping about, grabbing Dean and Logan’s hands, all three of them wildly bouncing a circle.

Lena didn’t notice when Kara leaned into Alex’s ear. “Now you do believe Lena is good? Now that you’ve seen it with your own two eyes?”

Alex didn’t answer her sister, and just then she turned to Lena and gave her a small nod.

Lena took it and nodded back with a smile. But damn, no thank you? What did it take to crack the Danvers sister?

---

“Motherfucker,” Alex let out, 3 hours later. 

At some point during their games, Kara had gotten the cake and they’d all sung happy birthday to Dean. He’d opened his presents. Logan (and Lena) had gotten him two sets of nerf guns, which Dean had been visibly excited about. 

“How’d you know?” Kara has asked, knowingly.

Lena had shrugged, “Good guess”. 

Lena had caught Alex staring at her several times during the process. What had originally been hostility had been replaced by what Lena could sense was suspicion, but she ignored it as best she could. 

The second hour had progressed into more comfort for Sam and the rest, except for Lena, who felt on guard either way. Alex also seemed to be able to pretend to relax, but Lena noted the alertness. The boys had fallen asleep as they’d sat back to watch the adults play as the games had gotten more complicated, at Alex’s preference. The ones they had been playing were too simple and gave ‘others’ the upper hand, Alex claimed. Lena figured the only reason for playing more complex games was that Alex was testing her, and possibly Sam. But if Alex hadn’t noticed so far -and she definitely had- Lena was good at board games. Exceptionally so. She’d learned, not because of her family, who’d mostly focused on chess (which came in handy) but because Sam had taught her in university. And then Lena had surpassed her friend in excellence. 

Lena had quickly discovered Alex’s weakness. And she hadn’t needed Nia for it. Losing. It irritated Alex beyond measure. And Lena loved nothing more than to win. “ If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.” One of the many lessons she had applied from Sun Tzu today. Playing against Alex had actually proven quite difficult, and in truth, Lena had never needed that much Sun Tzu in her life, until now. So Lena had put on her poker face, and decided it was game on from the very first game to the very last. She’d do what it took to subdue Alex in the only opportunity given to her; via board games. 

In every game where teams were necessary, Alex had teamed up with everyone except for Lena. It only came at Alex’s detriment, seeing as any team with Lena on it continuously won. She could see Alex’s frustration grow. For a moment, she’d almost considered losing a game to gain Alex’s favor. But that wasn’t like her. The only way to really earn an enemy’s respect, was to defeat them fairly.

That’s what had gotten her a well earned cuss from Alex. 

“Motherfucker.”

“Alex!” Kara called out, her face turning to check on Dean and Logan, asleep 2 pieces of cake later and more than an hour earlier. 

“It’s fine, they’re asleep,” Alex said nonchalantly. “What’s not fine is the deception!” she stated about Lena and Sam as she dropped her cards and admitted defeat. 

“I told you we’d give you a run for your money,” Sam said with a smirk.

“And Lena also told me that she hadn’t played this game before. Obviously bullshit,” Alex called out. Kelly caressed her back comforting her for the devastating loss. 

“No, I said I hadn’t played it in a long time ,” Lena replied with a smirk of her own. She, Sam and Nia had teamed up against Alex, Kelly and Kara in a game of strategy, and had won. 

“Alex, they won fair and square, you gotta let it go,” Kara jumped in.

“Typical Luthor, lying to get her way,” Alex shot at Lena, throwing everyone off and earning a collective silence. 

Alex had relatively held her tongue most of the evening. Lena supposed Alex hadn’t wanted to ruin the night or start a problem, much less in front of the children. But several losses later, Alex’s competitive side was clearly bursting out the seams.

Every comment she made sought to irritate Lena, but she hadn’t delved into the worst and most sensitive topics, i.e. her family name, until this moment. But Lena had expected a stab like this much sooner, prepared herself for it.

Kara placed her hand gently on Lena’s lap when her sister had spoken. She seemed to be about to jump to Lena’s defense.  

“It’s not typical of me to lie. You heard what you wanted to hear. However, it will become very typical of me to defeat you in every game. You should get used to it. I thought you would be by now, since you haven’t defeated me once,” Lena answered right back. She saw Sam smile from the corner of her eye. 

Kara didn’t exactly deflate with that response, but just then, Nia’s eyes flew to Kara’s hand, firmly on Lena’s lap. Nia raised a brow and let out a hint of a smile. Kara retracted her hand as subtly as possible. Not subtly enough that Sam hadn’t also noticed it was there. 

“It was you, wasn’t it?” Alex turned to Kara, “Our weak link. Letting them win because-” she cut herself off. 

Kelly was shaking her head while Nia rolled her eyes at Alex’s dramatics. 

“She didn’t let us win. You’re just not that good at this game,” Nia pestered. “Or any other game apparently.”

“I will crush you,” Alex threatened. 

Nia sniggered. “It’s like this every time,” she said to Lena and Sam. “At least this time you’re really making her suffer. What is this, like the 3rd game in a row you lose?” she turned back to Alex. 

“5th,” Sam added.

Alex squinted her eyes at Nia and Sam. “Feeling brave?”

“You’re not scaring anyone,” Sam replied. “Don’t be a sore loser, and admit we kicked your ass.”

“We? Are you showing off now?” Alex responded. “We both know Luthor carried your team on her back on this one.”

Lena was taken aback by the… compliment? That’s what it had been, right? Despite the clearly derogatory use of her last name. 

“There’s only one way to win,” Lena said confidently. “And you know what it is.”

Alex squinted at her in a question. 

“Join the dark side,” Lena said with a sneer. 

“Join us,” Sam repeated in a playfully ominous tone. Nia followed.

Alex sighed and rolled her eyes, her jaw was tense. 

Lena could see it; Alex was about to break. Come on.

“Let’s take a break,” Alex said instead as she got out of her seat. 

Lena sighed softly. So close. 

“I’m going to go check on Esme,” Kelly said as she proceeded to leave the living room. 

“I need to pee, you’ll be okay?” Kara spoke to Lena. 

Lena nodded and Kara left for the bathroom.  

“You were close,” Sam told Lena. 

“Yeah, you were,” Nia agreed. 

Nia was growing on Lena, she had to admit, and rather quick at that. Their first meeting hadn’t gone smoothly, but Lena could see she had a good heart. She was also very perceptive, not a reporter for nothing. Although, in fairness, Alex’s antipathy towards Lena could be perceived by just about anyone.  

“I don’t think I’ll ever win her over,” Lena found herself disclosing in front of Kara’s friend. 

“Don’t give up, you won me over,” Nia said comfortingly. 

“Really? Didn’t seem like it when you interviewed me,” Lena replied. 

“Oh my Gosh, that was one time!” Nia replied, the three of them smiling at the reply. “You hadn’t won me over then. But afterwards, you did.”

“What did I do? To win you over?” Lena asked. 

“Well, it wasn’t exactly something you did, I guess. It was more like what Kara said about you,” Nia recognized. 

“So I didn’t win you over, Kara convinced you,” Lena clarified. 

“Sort of. But you definitely won me over today, by your own accord. Anyone that can kick Alex’s butt in board games immediately earns my endearment. Because she needed to be brought down a notch.”

Lena chuckled slightly. 

“I gotta pee too, brb,” Nia said as she got up, before she stopped in the middle of the way and turned to Sam dramatically, “will you be okay, my dearest?” she said, mocking Kara’s words and using a tone akin to Jack in the Titanic.

Lena pressed her lips and bit her tongue.  

“Go my darling,” Sam mocked along, “I’ll be alright, but please, don’t be long, I shan’t survive without you for more than two minutes.” 

Lena covered her eyes and made a sound of frustration, but said nothing as Nia left for the bathroom with a laugh, and Sam laughed too. 

“I like her,” Sam declared to Lena. “I’d say the night is going pretty well, all things considered.” 

“Yeah, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” Lena agreed. 

“I’ve actually had a lot of fun. Have you?”

“A little. I do enjoy winning.”

“And sharing longing looks with Kara,” Sam teased. “Even Nia noticed.”

Lena ignored it, preferring not to think too much of the fact that Nia had indeed noticed, pretending it wasn’t making her heart beat hard. “But Kara’s sister…”

“Yeah, she’s tough.”

“She liked you almost immediately.”

“Yeah, but that’s only cuz Kelly had probably told her about me. And I’m naturally likable, it’s a gift.”

Lena tilted her head at Sam, who winked at her. 

“Yes, and Nia said Kara has talked about me,” Lena stated. “Didn’t seem to make a difference to Alex.”

“But that means Kara definitely has mentioned you.”

“Sam, don’t,” Lena begged. 

“Don’t what? I’ve barely said anything, and I have had so much to say, all night.”

“Like what?”

“Like how Kara hasn’t paid attention to a single game cuz she’s doing cartoon heart eyes at you. I mean even Nia has seen it too.”

“Not true,” Lena contested with 0 evidence to back herself up. 

“And how every time she thinks no one’s noticing, her hand gently lands on your lap or her shoulder brushes up against yours,” Sam said in an exalted motion and swoon. 

“Her shoulder brushes up against me? What is this, Bridgerton?” 

“Don’t play dumb. I saw you blush several times. You hide it well, but I know your tells. Which is why you haven’t played against me all night. Lord knows I’d kick your ass.”

“I haven’t played against you because Alex seems intent on playing against me until she defeats me, and I need you on my team to make sure I defeat her. Plus, you and I both know I have bested you.”

“Whatever. I’m enjoying myself and you should too. Even if you can’t win her over tonight, she’ll crack eventually.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“The only reason I can think of why she doesn’t like you, I mean really doesn’t, is because she’s scared you’ll hurt her family. Prove to her that you won’t… again,” Sam added in a whisper, “and she’ll drop her guard.”

Lena sighed. It briefly crossed her mind that Alex and her weren’t that much different. They both cared for Kara. And both played en garde, afraid about some attack or other. Lena herself was just learning how to unclench her defenses.

“I’ll go see if they need help in the kitchen, stretch my legs,” Lena said as she got up.

“Go, find your betrothed, never let her go,” Sam embellished with another fake swoon. 

Lena ignored her friend and made her way down the hall, where she passed Kelly and asked if they needed anything. Kelly said Alex could use a hand in the kitchen and Lena reluctantly went. 

She was alone with Alex seconds later. Every encounter with the woman was inevitably confrontational, but Lena took the steps to ease it up and stood diagonally from her rather than right in front. 

Alex pulled a glass from a cupboard, turning to find Lena right there. Her smile, which Lena assumed had been there thinking she was Kelly, immediately disappeared. 

“Kelly said you needed help,” Lena pointed out. 

“I’m good, actually.”

There were two trays in the kitchen aisle. Alex couldn’t carry them both, that was for sure. 

“Right.” Lena took a deep breath in as Alex stared at her. Lena had mastered that terrifying stare years ago. But she’d never been on the other end of someone who had mastered it like Alex.

“You came to my nephew’s birthday party,” Alex said stoically. 

Left unsaid, which Lena could grasp, was something alone the lines of ‘after what you did’ or perhaps ‘you have some fucking nerve’. 

“It wasn’t my intention to crash it. I just wanted to pick Logan up,” Lena said firmly. 

Alex’s eyes softened, “Nah, it’s fine. I might not be hating it entirely. ”

Oh? “I thought you were despising losing.”

“I fucking am, but it’s fine. Builds character. Your board game abilities might be one of your redeeming qualities by the way.”

“I have others, I promise,” Lena pleaded the case for herself. She’d never quite had to talk to a parent or family member of someone she was … dating? Not what she and Kara were doing, but someone she was something-ing with. Someone she cared about and who had people to care about them back.

“I’ve yet to see those,” Alex fought back. 

“Yet, as you say,” Lena could hold her ground. She had to right now. She had to win Alex over and it hit her just at that moment that she couldn't possibly hope Kara would forgive her if Kara’s sister was her biggest critic. 

Alex remained steadfast. Her arms crossed, her eyes on Lena’s. People who liked eye contact would despise it if they had this much of it.

“So what is this, are you trying to buy us?” Alex asked.

“What?”

“You buy my nephew really expensive gifts, thinking that’ll win Kara over. You’re literally buying Kelly’s app, you offered her a job, the whole thing with Esme. It’s not going to work with me. Why are you pretending to help us?”

“Alex, I wasn’t trying to buy anyone. And I’m not helping you . Your wife is a smart woman with a brilliant idea. And I’m a smart woman that has money to spend on good ideas. It’s business. Unless you have reservations?”

Alex bit the inside of her cheek. “No, Kelly is smart and she does have a brilliant idea. But it sure looks like you’re trying to buy us.”

Lena could gain Alex’s respect maybe, but she knew she had to give something else to really get through to her. The risk of not doing that was possibly losing Kara. So against every cell in her body, Lena chose to be vulnerable.  

“Okay, yes I’m investing in Kelly, but that, as I said, is because it’s a good investment. And the nerf guns were Logan’s idea. And as for your daughter… I know you disagreed with my methods of running the school, but I really do care about everyone’s welfare. I want every child to have the resources and opportunities to thrive. And yes, I suppose part of me wishes that you would see that about me, and part of me wishes to win you over. So consider this a show of good faith.”

“Win me over?” Alex replied. 

“For Kara’s sake,” Lena admitted. 

“Not for your own?” 

“Can’t it be both?”

Alex stood there, quiet.

Silence, a tactic she’d mastered growing up Luthor, was unnerving when it was being used against her. She supposed Alex was right to treat her that way. After what she’d done. Lena hadn’t even addressed it directly. 

“I know that you have your reservations about me-” Lena spoke again. 

“That’s an understatement,” Alex interrupted. 

“But I want to say that I will never ever do anything to hurt Dean… again. Nothing like that, intentionally, ever again.”

Lena saw a change in Alex’s eyes, the look of confirmation for what she already knew. And she also saw the rage behind it. “Should you hurt my nephew, I want you to know I give no fucks about your family name and power. I would seriously make you regret it.”

“I already do. I regret it beyond words. And if I ever do anything like that, you should most certainly follow through with your word. I believe you would. And I would deserve it. But I am promising you that it won’t happen.”

Alex took an audible breath in as she took in Lena’s words, considering them, whether or not she bought them. 

“Alright, I believe you about my nephew. But that leaves Kara. And I am equally protective of them both, so you better-”

“I would never want to hurt her on purpose-”

“You already did. And I don’t know what you want with her.”

“I want…” her . “I just want us to be okay.”

“I’m not sure I trust you to just be okay with Kara. It kind of looks like you want more than that. And I can’t tell if this is just a game to you or not. Kara deserves people around her that care about her and love her-”

“ I love her,” Lena let slip. She sighed and closed her eyes. “Fuck. I wasn’t… I wasn’t supposed to tell you first. Fuck. It slipped out.” Gosh she was mad at herself. Maybe Lena’s weakness was Alex, because she wasn’t in the habit of letting things so important fall from her lips. But she’d also never felt this way before. Lena herself was bursting at the seams, with love for Kara. She knew that, of course she did. But she hadn’t actually said it aloud. And now she had, to possibly the worst person. 

Alex sighed heavily and closed her eyes. “Damn it,” she whispered to herself.

“I have shit hearing,” Alex said after a few seconds. 

“What?” Lena was taken aback. 

“I didn’t catch that last thing you said,” Alex said casually, her body more relaxed than before, her face as well. 

Lena sighed thankfully. A little smile formed on her lips. 

“Anyway, you play a good game, so it was fun,” Alex went on. “And… tomorrow I was going to take my nephew to an amusement park, maybe Logan could come too. I hear Sam has a daughter about their age too, if she wants.”

“Yes, he’d love that. Sam too.”

Alex nodded. “So… Kara will be all alone in her house. And that would be a great time to pass by and… tell her things that you want to tell her.”

Lena deflated. “If she could forgive me, I probably would go.”

“That’s the thing Luthor, she’s got a heart of gold. Against all odds, and against my own advice, I think she already has. But if you don’t believe me, you have to ask her and hear it from her yourself.”

Lena was bewildered by the words. Could it be true? Alex certainly had no reason to lie, but Lena still couldn’t believe it. 

“You’re a good sister Alex.”

“How would you know?”

“Because even if you can’t stand me, I see that you still want what’s best for Kara, even if Kara chooses me. Which by the way, I think she won’t, if that makes you feel any better.”

“A little bit.”

Lena huffed and laughed at the response, shaking her head. 

“I haven’t actually been the best sister to Kara lately. But for what it’s worth, I can see that you care about her,” Alex stated. “I hadn’t seen it before. I can feel the way you care about each other. I can even feel the chemistry- eww. And anyway, I’m… sorry, Lena. I did judge you for your last name and other things that had nothing to do with you. It became this vicious cycle and I believed what other people said. That’s not like me.”

Alex… had cracked?

“Why now?”

“Cuz I just realized that you really mean… what you just said, all of it. Especially that part that I didn’t hear.”

Lena smiled softly. “I’m sorry too, you know. Everyone just expected me to be a bitch, and I did behave like one, so it’s not entirely your fault. I was a little obsessed with the baking sale.”

“A little? You were the equivalent of bridezilla for bake sales. Bakezilla!”

“I have bake sales, you have board games. We all have things we get a little crazy about, right?”

“Shit. Yeah. Well, anyone that can hold their own against me in a game deserves my respect.”

“You’ve been a worthy opponent.”

“Oh no. What’s going on here?” Kara asked as she appeared by the hall, worry lines in her forehead. 

“Your sister is telling me what a sore loser you are too, apparently it runs in the family,” Lena said.

“What? No way, you literally saw her today, it doesn’t get worse than that.” Kara went over and wrapped her arms around Alex, then brought her close to Lena, whom she wrapped her other arm around. “So you guys aren’t killing each other?”

“No, surprisingly not,” Lena stated. 

“Not until the next game starts, that is,” Alex said. “All is fair in board games and war.”

“Where did you find these two?” Sam showed up with Nia next to her.

“In the kitchen, alone, talking ,” Kara stated.

“Wow, just talking? No knives out?” Sam asked. 

“Sam, you are literally the best,” Nia jumped in, happy to have someone else that spoke their mind. 

They made their way back to the living room with more food and drinks. 

“Oh, all knives are coming out, but as Alex said moments ago, in the board games,” Lena stated. “What are we playing next?”

“So, all good between you two?” Kelly asked. 

“Yes. There’s been a truce,” Lena said. 

“Oh no, not again,” Sam began shaking her head. 

“For real this time!” Lena fought back. 

“Alright, Lena and I call a truce. I just have one more request,” Alex said.

Everyone held their breath for what was coming. 

“That they stop eye-fucking each other?” Nia let out.

“Yes, that, except I wasn’t going to say it that way, Jesus! Nia, always with the graphic descriptions!” Alex replied. “There are children!”

“We weren’t,” Kara exclaimed, going a little red.

“Like we haven’t all noticed the touches and the looks,” Alex pointed out.

“There were no looks,” Kara lied terribly. 

“Kara, please, we all know-” Sam had begun before Nia blurted out “-that you’re fucking each other.”

“Eww eww eww,” Alex said as she closed her eyes and shook her head. 

“I was going to say it more tactfully than that,” Sam commented. 

Lena closed her eyes and tried to keep her emotions controlled. Okay, so everyone knew. She couldn’t blame Kara for telling her family and friends. She’d told Sam after all. It didn’t make it less uncomfortable. Where she’d usually be worried about what people would say about them together, she currently found herself more preoccupied with whether or not Kara had told her friends that the sex had been good or not. 

“You alright?” Sam checked with her. 

“Not sure how I feel about everyone knowing that,” Lena admitted. 

“We all already knew, evidently,” Nia said with little comfort to Lena. 

“But let the record show that I was the first to know,” Sam jumped in. 

“How? Kelly and I ran into Lena the morning after they slept together,” Alex commented. 

“You mean the morning of. They were quite the horndogs,” Sam corrected with a grin.

Lena eyed her. “Was the correction necessary?” Sam chuckled. 

“Regardless, we saw her and we knew first,” Alex contended. 

“I knew before that because it was I who told her to wear that low cut dress - you’re welcome by the way Kara- And I knew where it would lead. I mean, that dress can work miracles. So I knew that same night, even without Lena telling me,” Sam asserted. 

“That doesn’t count, you guessed,” Alex disagreed. 

“Yeah, it does-” Sam maintained. 

“Actually,” Kara spoke at last. “None of you were the first to find out.”

All brows furrowed.

“Andrea caught us first,” Lena figured she might as well jump in.  

A collective “WHAT?” was heard that nearly deafened Lena and Kara. 

“When?” Sam asked. 

“She caught us during the basketball game… in one of the classrooms,” Lena clarified. 

Sam laughed out loud. “Of all people, Andrea? Oh, that’s fucking hilarious. How did she react?”

“She found it very amusing,” Lena said with some contempt at Andrea. 

“My boss?” Kelly wondered.

“Soon to be former boss,” Nia added. 

“And my ex,” Lena confessed to them all, for no reason other than their looks of confusion at what was so entertaining to Sam. 

“Your what?” Nia asked, dumbfounded. 

“Andrea Rojas is your ex?” Kelly asked. 

“Indeed. And I’d appreciate it if it stayed in this room. I don’t typically share that,” Lena requested. “Off the record,” she turned specifically to Nia.

“No, yeah, of course, but what!” Nia replied, still shocked. 

Lena shrugged, unsure what else to say. 

“Wait, she caught you at the school?” Alex circled back. 

“How horny were you?” Nia asked Kara. 

“I was about to ask the same thing,” Sam agreed. 

“Lena kissed me first!” Kara defended. 

“Kara!” Lena squealed. 

“And I kissed right back,” Kara conceded. 

Alex shook her head as she made it to the board game cabinet “I don't want any details about that, I’m so serious- Nal, not a word out of you, if you want details, ask later.” She placed a game on the table.

“Alex, it’s almost midnight,” Kara bemoaned, rubbing her forehead from exhaustion. 

“One last game,” Alex stated. 

Nia sighed, “Alex, please, no more. You lost, you gotta let it go. Lena is just better at board games.”

“Luthor…” Alex began. 

Lena turned to Alex, awaiting her response. Everyone went quiet for a second. 

“Nia’s right, you’re good. So from now on, you’re on my team,” Alex said. “Together, we’ll be un-fucking stoppable.”

“Holy shit,” Nia said.

“Shut up,” Alex replied, harmlessly kicking Nia from the couch. 

Except holy shit was right. Lena grinned. Had she actually won Alex over? 

“This has been… the best fucking game night,” Nia commented, to which Kelly laughed. Soon, the rest of them followed in laughter, and Lena at the very end, finally allowed herself to laugh as well, because why the hell not.

“On an unrelated subject,” Lena turned to Kelly. “I’ve been thinking about therapy. You wouldn’t know any good therapists, would you?”

Kelly smiled wide. “A few.”

“That can handle me?”

Kelly smiled, “in that case, a couple.”

Alex snorted as she opened the game.

Sam bumped Lena lightly on the shoulder. “Not bad?” she echoed her earlier conversation with her. 

“Not bad at all,” Lena replied. 

“You might want to take this moment and really anchor it,” Sam suggested as the rest were distracted. 

“Here,” Alex gave a plastic piece from the game to Lena. 

“What’s this?” Lena asked.

“Everyone gets a different token in this game,” Alex explained as she gave other pieces to the rest.

Lena looked at hers, Sam noticed it too. They both smiled.

It was an anchor. 

---

 

Lena knocked on Kara’s door the next day. She was wearing jeans and black shirt, nothing ostentatious. Alex, true to her word, had taken Dean to an amusement park. She’d invited Logan, Sam and Ruby as well. Lena had nothing but time to think about how she was going to apologize to Kara, for once and for all. 

A simple ‘I’m sorry’, followed if need be, by her open admission of what she’d done, which Kara already knew, and as many sorrys as possible right after and forever until Kara hopefully considered forgiving her.

Kara opened the door in a tank top and shorts. Did she have to look so damn sexy in regular house clothes? 

“Lena, hey, I'm so happy you're-”

Lena took two steps towards Kara and kissed her, she kissed her like she meant it, like it was the last time, like she could convey everything, her apology, her regret, her affection, with her lips.

And then she pulled her lips away, but remained glued to Kara’s body. Her hands, which had been on Kara’s face were dropped to the blonde’s shoulders.

“I love you,” is what came out from her lips. “I love you, Kara. And I’m so so sorry for what I did. You can’t imagine how sorry I am, how much I’ve beaten myself up about it. I can’t exactly explain why, none of it really makes sense. I was hurt and I acted out because…gosh, it wasn’t even about the PTA President thing, not really. I think it was… I thought my feelings, which even I didn’t understand, were unrequited. And framing Dean… it was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made, because it cost me you, us, or whatever I wanted this to be. And I just want you to know that… you are perfect. You are everything. And kissing you was heaven, and having sex with you was the most wonderful intimate experience I’d ever had, and just being around you, and seeing you smile, and flirting with you has made me feel things I’d never even dreamed I could feel. I can’t imagine you’d forgive me or that you’d feel the same way about me. But I hope you find someone who deserves your kindness, and your humor, and … your love, someone who feels the same way about you that I do, but that truly deserves you.”

Lena had barely been looking at Kara the entire rant. She’d been looking at her, but not really looking, not noticing her face or her reaction, more caught up in her own words and how they were all coming out in an ineloquent rhapsody. But now that she looked at Kara, really looked, she saw her smiling.

“Are you going to say something?” Lena asked.

“Sorry, yeah. I wanted to let you finish first.” Kara’s hands were tight around Lena’s waist.

“Well, you did tell me you’d never interrupt me right in the middle,” Lena recalled that morning in Kara’s bed, the blonde joking about not stopping Lena’s orgasm in its tracks. 

Kara chuckled. “I’m a woman of my word. And by the way, I can assure you that they are very much requited.”

“What?” Lena’s brow shot up.

“Your feelings. You said you thought they were unrequited.”

Oh . “So you…”

“I’m sorry too, Lena.” Kara’s hand moved up to Lena’s cheek. 

“Oh?” Lena felt her eyes get watery. 

“I never thought about the collateral damage of my article. I was so blinded by my search for the truth and justice that I never thought of what it would do to all the people who were on the sidelines, to their families, to you. If I could have done it without hurting you I would have-“

“No, no, it wasn’t your fault. I’m the one that should be sorry. And you know what? I’m glad you exposed them. It freed me,” Lena let out. “When they had Luthor Corp, I was just like everyone else, under their reign. And then one day, I woke up to your article… and I’ve never told anyone, but I smiled when I read it. Seeing my mother and Lex’s surprise at being caught without a plan, seeing them staggered that someone had outsmarted them, seeing them frantically trying to figure out their next move for once was, well, satisfying. Don’t get me wrong, what came after was a difficult time, but strange as it sounds I actually defended you to my family. But to everyone else I felt like I had to pretend to hate you, for my family’s sake. And… I’ve just been doing so much pretending, that even I don’t understand. But I’m done, I swear I am.” A tear fell from her eyes.

Kara smiled and caressed Lena’s cheek with her thumb. “I get it. I know you think I don’t but… I do. I’ve always seen this hard shell you’ve wanted to break out of. And now you have.”

“Kara, I’m so sorry that I hurt Dean.”

“Hey, we’re all bad moms right?” said Kara, noticing Lena’s remorse, and not wanting to dwell on it further so as not to punish her. 

“Yes we are,” Lena concurred, laughing a little from relief.

“On the subject of moms,” Kara said, “now that I’ve won the PTA President position, I confess I have no clue what I’m doing. Maybe you could help me out just a little, fill me in, if you’d like that.” 

“I’d love to,” said Lena.

Kara wiped Lena’s tears. “Okay, now that that’s out of the way,” she pulled Lena into a searing kiss.

Lena held on back, like her life depended on it. 

“Oh, and I love you too,” Kara whispered to her, her forehead against Lena’s. 

“You do?”

“Yeah. You couldn’t tell? In the way I… looked at you, the way I kissed you, the way I made love to you,” Kara whispered. “I felt like everything gave me away. If anything I was worried you didn’t feel the same as me.”

“I… I never imagined… And you forgive me?” Lena asked.

“Yes, of course I do. I already did. Do you forgive-”

Lena kissed her again. “Of course I do.”

This was love then. And Lena had felt it before, in all the ways Kara described. How could she not have seen it sooner? 

Kara’s hands squeezed her body as she directed them to the bedroom. Lena’s stomach fluttered in anticipation, but she’d already gotten what she’d come for. This wasn’t about her anymore, this had to be about Kara. 

“Let me… take care of you, make you feel good. Anyway you want it,” Lena told her as they closed the bedroom door.

“I just want you,” Kara breathed out, her voice already husky in expectation. “I like… making you feel good makes me feel good.”

“Would you let me focus on you first, make your body feel… incredible. And then you can do anything you want to me.”

“Yes.” The word came heavy, and filled with desire. 

Lena kissed her and gently pushed Kara to the bed, making her sit by the edge. She kissed from her lips to her jaw, her hands massaging Kara’s neck and shoulders as she did.

Lena slowly worked her way to Kara’s neck, sucking and biting gently, and harder at the blonde’s responses. 

Lena moaned at the feel of Kara’s pulse, rising at her touch, the heat she could feel against her lips. 

Lena’s fingers moved down the middle of Kara’s chest, over her shirt, and slowly down her abdomen to her hips, where she tucked them inside to graze her skin.

Lena moved her mouth around to the other side of Kara’s neck. As much as she wanted to mark her like the blonde had done with her, Lena also knew a hickey was very unbecoming of a future PTA President. 

Lena’s fingers began moving up Kara’s body, taking her tank top with them until she could release Kara of it. As soon as the fabric was flung somewhere in the room, Lena’s hands returned to the blonde’s skin. She moved her hands down Kara’s body, to her thighs over her shorts, and just as slowly, slid her hands beneath and teased at Kara’s skin. The blonde whimpered at the touch. 

“Lena,” Kara groaned.

“Yes?”

“You’re driving me mad.”

Lena chuckled. “Not my intention. Quite the contrary actually,” she said as her hands moved up the inside of Kara’s shorts, feeling her way over her boxer shorts beneath. 

“You’re teasing,” Kara complained.

“We’re just starting. I thought you were the patient one.”

“I think I’ve been patient enough,” Kara said as she pulled Lena into a searing kiss. Lena took pleasure in the feel of Kara’s tongue against hers, the want the blonde expressed.

“Gosh I could get used to this,” Lena stated when they parted, her lips red.

“Used to withholding sex from me?” Kara whined.

Lena laughed and kissed her softly. “I’ll get to the good stuff,” she said as she grazed Kara’s center with a finger, making Kara jerk a little in her place. 

“Fuck,” Kara moaned.

“See, the good stuff.”

“Just barely,” Kara grumbled. 

Lena moved her mouth to Kara’s ear, and nibbled on her lobe. Kara leaned into her. And Lena pulled her hands away from Kara’s legs.

Kara groaned and she grabbed Lena from her ass and brought her to her thigh. Lena instantly began rubbing against Kara.

She licked Kara’s ear and moaned into it. Then she scratched down Kara’s back, making her groan into the kiss.

“Okay, now that sound is fucking intoxicating,” Lena stated.

“You’ll get more if you get to the good stuff. Anytime soon would be good,” Kara spoke, it sounded so close to begging that Lena was getting more excited.

“I’m kind of enjoying the whining though. I see why you like to make me beg,” Lena said as she removed Kara’s bra and traced her fingertips around her nipples.

“Now you know what it feels like to have someone beg for your touch. With great power…” Kara moaned midway through her sentence as Lena played with her nipples. 

“Well, not quite. You haven’t begged just yet, but I’m being the patient one today. Either way, I’ll find out soon enough.” She pinched a nipple and then palmed Kara’s breasts. 

“Lena,” Kara whined again.

“I’ve never liked my name as much as when you say it.” Lena’s hands roamed back Kara’s thighs, into her shorts and grazing her center like before.

Kara arched to the touch. “Lena, God.”

“I’m already thinking about how many fingers I’ll slip inside you.”

“Fuck, how many?” 

“I’m aiming for 3 if you’ll take them.”

Kara jerked at the response and Lena licked her lips as she began to run soft circles over Kara’s underwear beneath her shorts.

“I can take them,” Kara affirmed.

“Fuck.”

“What else are you thinking about?” Kara asked as she urged Lena to move her hips on her thigh again. She’d unknowingly stopped.

“You begging me for them. Begging me for anything, really. I’ll take what I can get at this point.”

Kara chuckled lightly, her eyes opening now. She’d had them closed since Lena’s first touch. She gazed at the brunette and decided to give her what she wanted. “Please.”

“Taking pity on me? That it?”

“Maybe. Or maybe I love you and want to give you what you want. Making you happy makes me happy, remember?”

“I might never get used to hearing that from you.” Lena pulled her hands away from Kara’s shorts and brought them to the blonde’s face. Then she leaned in and kissed her, licking Kara’s lips as she slowly parted, and biting them softly. 

“Please Lena.”

“Please what? Tell me.”

“Touch me.”

Lena kissed her again and used her hands to touch everywhere. Kara wasn’t specific after all, and Lena was greedy for just about every part she could get her hands on. 

Kara groaned into her kiss, her patience waning.

“Not how you like it?” Lena asked, pulling back. 

“That’s not it. I want more.”

“Tell me what to do then.”

“Get off my thigh, and undress for me baby.”

Lena gasped and clenched at the pet name. She nodded, breathless already and did as told.

Lena began undoing the button on her jeans quickly.

“Slowly,” Kara commanded.

Lena slowed down as much as she could. Her fingers were trembling from the anticipation. She removed her pants and then slowly unbuttoned her shirt, letting it fall to the ground. She discarded her shoes at once as well.

“You look so fucking sexy,” Kara told her. The blonde licked her lips. Lena could see her chest rising and falling quickly. And Lena herself was so aroused she was sure it was visible through her underwear. Kara eyed her from head to toe and back, her eyes lingering on her mouth, her chest, hips and thighs. 

“You make me feel sexy,” Lena told her. The hungry look turned Lena on further. She was delighted to be absolutely devoured by Kara’s eyes. 

“Touch yourself. Tell me how wet you are,” Kara ordered.

Lena obeyed and led her hand down her underwear. She gasped as her middle finger barely touched down her labia and she felt herself. “I’m soaked.”

“Fuck,” Kara moaned. “Now taste yourself, and tell me how you taste.”

Lena brought her fingers to her mouth and slowly licked them with the tip of her tongue, then slid them into her mouth. “Musky and a little salty. Don’t you want to taste yourself?”

“Oh, I’ll get to that, I promise.”

Lena bit her lip so hard she almost thought she’d make it bleed.

“Take the rest off,” Kara continued.

Without complaint, Lena got nude.

“Now, come here, get on your knees and take my shorts off and my underwear,” Kara told her.

Lena was right in front of Kara and on her knees quicker than even she noticed. Her fingers trembled all the way to the hem of Kara’s shorts and when the blonde raised her hips, Lena pulled them off with her boxer shorts.

Kara moved closer to the edge of the bed. “Please fuck me with 3 fingers,” she implored. 

Lena moaned audibly at that. She knew Kara only asked nicely because Lena was apparently terrible at being the slightest bit dominant. So much so that  she’d had to plead to Kara to beg her. She would have felt pathetic, but Kara had a way of making her forget all her insecurities. And even though Lena couldn’t pull a genuine supplication from Kara, this felt just as good. Better even. Half request, half order. Lena could have come from that alone. 

Kara opened her legs. “Start with your mouth.”

Lena’s lips descended on Kara urgently. The blonde threw her head back. Lena could feel her engorged clit beneath her lips and it only encouraged her further. Not to mention that the blonde was absolutely drenched. 

Lena moaned as she licked her up, and Kara’s hand gripped her hair tightly. 

“You are so good with your tongue baby,” Kara moaned, breathless, and Lena only doubled down at the compliment. She wouldn’t say it aloud, but it was obvious; she had a praise kink, and Kara seemed to just know it.

“Now, one finger,” Kara ordered a couple minutes later.

Lena complied.

“Two.”

They slid inside the blonde with ease. 

“Three.”

Slowly, Lena pushed a third in, her tongue working around the clit in circles, trying different motions to the sides where Kara was also sensitive.

“Don’t stop, you’re making me feel so good,” Kara praised just as she looked down at Lena.

Lena kept eye contact as she did her best to keep a rhythm. She could see Kara’s wide pupils, her desire for her. It was heady and thrilling to her. 

Kara’s breathing got quicker, Lena could start to feel her walls flutter against her fingers. The blonde’s thighs began to jerk just slightly.

“I’m going to come in your mouth, and I want you to drink me up, do you understand?” Kara spoke.

Lena blinked once heavily in understanding and now proceeded to focus her tongue directly on Kara’s clit as she arched her fingers inside the blonde, over and over.

Seconds later, Kara’s head was thrown back, her neck tensed, back arched, and her mouth fell open as her body reached its peak. Her hips thrust and jerked into Lena’s face and fingers as she came undone. 

Lena slowed all her movements to bring Kara back down gently. She kissed the inside of Kara’s thighs while the blonde took a deep breath in and let it out with a satisfied sigh, releasing Lena’s hair. 

Kara looked down at her and Lena used her fingers to clean her chin and around her mouth, and then as she’d been ordered, drank those up.

“You were incredible. Your tongue is… incredible,” Kara said to her as she helped Lena off her knees. 

Lena grinned as Kara pulled her in to kiss her hard and deep. She gripped Lena’s hips and led them to the bed, where she turned her over and landed Lena against the center of the bed, and her on top.

“Is there anything you want?” She asked Lena.

“At this point I just really need to come, you have no idea how hot I am.” 

Kara placed a leg between them and began grinding against Lena’s center, feeling how soaked she was for herself. “Now I do,” Kara replied

Kara kissed her and palmed her breast, teasing at the nipple right after, just as Lena had done. 

“Make me come, anyway you want, just please make me come,” Lena beseeched already. Gosh, she was needy and desperate and more than worked up. Would Kara have mercy on her just this once?

The blonde pulled her body back.

Guess not. 

Kara moved to her drawer and pulled out… a long fabric. Ahem, a tie, actually. 

“I love those hands, those fingers of yours, but I want to watch them grip my headboard until they go numb while I fuck you,” Kara said as she presented the tie to Lena as a quiet request.

Lena immediately moaned and lifted her hands up to the headboard.

Kara passed the fabric through a space in her headboard and then tied Lena’s wrists around it. Lena could indeed hold on to nothing but the tie or the headboard if she needed to. But she wasn’t miserable about the choices.

“I’m going to fuck you, and I’m not going to stop until you come, twice, okay baby?” Kara whispered into her ear.

“Fuck, yes,” Lena whimpered as she nodded vehemently.

And thus, as promised, Kara began her slow assault on Lena’s body. She grinded her thigh against Lena’s center and tasted the sweat on Lena’s neck. 

She moved in a languid rhythm that frustrated Lena so much that she gripped the headboard hard in the process, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Kara. She grind over and over until Lena came the first time, a smaller orgasm than she knew was coming.

And Kara, without hesitation, slid her fingers down Lena’s body, caressing their way, tracing her lines down to her center, and slipped inside her soaked pussy. 

Lena moaned and gripped the headboard tighter. “Yes, fuck, more, please Kara.”

The blonde’s skillful fingers worked Lena’s cunt with dexterity while Kara’s mouth tasted the rest of her body. She moved from neck to ear, to lips to chest, nothing left unexplored. Lena could only feel herself wrapped in pleasure and bliss as her need for release climbed higher and higher.

“I need to come, please,” Lena continued to beg, her frustration at its limit.

Kara’s hand moved harder and faster into Lena. Her mouth began leaving new marks on Lena’s skin. Lena loved every part of it. The pressure of Kara’s teeth on her, the pressure that build inside her. Her body trembled, her toes curled in desperation, her fingers began to feel numb from the strength with which she was gripping the headboard. 

“Come for me baby,” Kara whispered in her ear and that did it. Lena’s back arched abruptly, and she moaned - no, screamed into the ceiling as the waves of pleasure seeped through her every cell. 

Kara kissed down Lena's body and took a quick taste of her center. "Told you I'd get to it. But you seem spent, so we'll leave that for later tonight."

Lena let out a sigh of release. “That was the strongest orgasm I’ve ever had,” Lena said limply moments later as Kara released her from the tie.

“Your strongest orgasm yet,” Kara corrected.

Lena chuckled, exhausted but more than satiated. She laid on Kara’s chest and let herself relax.

“I’ve discovered that I’m absolutely terrible at getting you to beg,” Lena said as she listened to Kara’s heartbeat beneath her. 

Kara chuckled. “That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. Tell me one time you’ve actually begged me to do something in bed. At most, you ask firmly.”

Kara chuckled again. “Oh, in bed? Yeah, you definitely suck at that.”

Lena shoved her softly. 

“I thought you were talking in general,” Kara spoke. “I’m pretty sure I begged you to become friends, and I begged you to talk at some point, begged you to ask me out-”

Lena raised her head a little to look at her. “What? What are you talking about? You didn’t beg.”

“In one way or another, you got me to beg. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Lena relaxed back again. “I guess. I’ll take that. I like getting what I want in one way or another.”

“And I like giving it to you.”

“I’ll just have to accept that you’re in charge in the bedroom,” Lena said. 

Kara smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Glad you know it.”

Lena cackled. She laid with Kara silently for a bit and let out a soft sigh. “I was… so scared that if we talked, this would end,” she said softly as she traced shapes on Kara’s skin. “That’s why it took me so long.”

“I figured. We might need to work on that. Because the only way we’ve properly communicated has been through… non-verbal communication reallly, body language I mean,” Kara gave her a provocative smirk. 

“Well, we are very good at non-verbal communication. And body language accounts for more than 50% of communication, so…” Lena agreed. 

Kara chuckled. “Seriously though, talking never ruined anything. From now on, I want you to come to me when there’s a problem, not avoid it. We can disagree but we don’t have to fight and it doesn’t mean that this will end,” Kara spoke gently. “Deal?”

Lena let out a breath of relief and nodded. “Deal.”

Kara smiled and held her tighter. “If all else fails we can always just try to fix it through non-verbal communication.”

She and Lena laughed. 

“Hey, do you want some dinner?” Kara asked some minutes later. 

“Not if you’re cooking,” Lena teased.

“Hey! You haven’t actually tasted my food!”

Lena laughed. “Your reputation precedes you, I’m afraid. Let me make you something instead,” she said.

“Finally,” Kara grinned.

Lena began getting off Kara and out of the bed. Except her legs were shaking, “Fuck. Well, um, you’ve fucked me so very thoroughly that my legs are barely working.”

“That’s strange, I’m pretty sure I did most of the leg work,” Kara said with a wink. “I’m the one that should be tired.”

“Fuck you.”

“Yes you did.”

“I also did plenty of the work! My tongue is owed many thanks,” Lena defied.

Kara pulled her to a kiss that surprised her. It wasn’t soft, and there was deliberate tongue. 

“That was my tongue, saying thanks to yours,” Kara said. 

Lena bit her lip and let out a happy sigh. She felt flushed in the face. “Tell your tongue that it’s welcome.”

“Oh your tongue is always very welcoming, no doubt,” Kara teased.

Lena laughed and used her strength to finally get out of bed and make her way to the bathroom first. She was overjoyed when saw her green toothbrush was still there, and she decided to brush her teeth with it, even if she was going to eat a while later. She simply liked having something of her own at Kara’s. 

They put some clothes on. Kara her own clothes, Lena borrowed shorts and a shirt from Kara. They made their way to the kitchen, and Lena looked around curiously. “Didn’t you have a cat?”

“Oh, Streaky’s actually from the street, but we let him in and feed him every now and then,” Kara confessed. 

“Oh, a stray cat, that you casually let into your home.”

Kara half smiled, half grimaced. 

“I guess I can live with that,” Lena said. 

She suddenly took note of where she was, and she looked at the wall next to her, with an empty spot on it.  

“You took it down,” said Lena, referring to the framed article.

“I hate that you saw it at the party,” said Kara sadly. “I had taken it down after you dropped it but someone hung it back up and I didn’t notice.”

“But you won a Pulitzer for it,” said Lena. 

“Yeah, and as you can see the Pulitzer is still there, but I think I’d rather put something else on this wall. So I’ll keep the place empty for an important frame,” said Kara. “It’s a good space for something else, kid photos, graduation photos, stray cat photos…wedding photos.”

At those words, Lena imagined a photo of her and Kara married, hung on that same spot. Her in a dress, Kara in a suit. But she was getting way ahead of herself. 

Lena could recognize her own character flaws sometimes. And since first kissing Kara Danvers, greed had become one of them. She simply could never get enough, would never get enough. Not with 1000 more kisses, not with 10,000. She held Kara’s face and kissed her then. Kara kissed back with a smile and turned to face her and deepen the kiss, holding her body.

“Mom?” two voices said in unison. 

Kara and Lena broke their kiss and turned to find Logan and Dean staring at them. Along with Sam, Ruby, Alex, Kelly and Esme. They’d just come back from the amusement park. And neither Kara nor Lena had even heard the door, too enraptured by each other.

Shit.

“Kids!” exclaimed Kara, “Guys! Hey, um… we …. were…”

Lena looked to Kara and back to the kids and Kara did the same with her. Both of them were at a loss for words. 

“Um, your mom and Lena were just…” Alex couldn’t find the words either.

Sam was stifling a laugh, albeit terribly. 

“Okay, well, we were going to tell you,” Kara began, “but now that you’ve found out, we have been meaning to share with you that we are…” she turned to Lena hoping she’d finish the sentence, dating.

“In love,” Lena said, surprising them all with the admission, cold sweating through Kara’s shirt in seconds. 

Even Sam’s jaw dropped. She might have known about it, and so might have Alex, but it was entirely different to declare it to them all, and especially the kids with so little preamble. 

Lena was horrified, this was a mistake. How could she have said that so casually to Logan with absolutely no context. He and Dean must be so confused, so offended, so dazed, perhaps worse. 

“Okay, cool,” said Logan. “You’re really not subtle about it,” he added.

“Seriously, you’re like in the middle of the house where everyone can see you guys,” added Dean as he and Logan giggled.  

At that reaction, Lena relaxed and smiled. She felt such relief beyond what she could explain. 

“I’m sorry you found out like this, but… you’re okay with this?” Lena asked as she stepped towards Logan. 

“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Logan. 

“And you?” Kara asked her son. 

“Me too, you should be, like, happy mom,” said Dean. 

“Yeah, I agree,” said Logan. 

Kara grinned, and Lena could see the same relief on her face that she felt. 

Soon the blonde pulled them all in for a group hug, yelling the words aloud, ‘in case anyone was confused’ she explained. 

“She’s been telling me she’s going to cook for me yet the food never materializes,” Kara joked within everyone’s earshot as the hug came to an end.

Lena grabbed a plush toy Logan was carrying and threw it at Kara, getting the boys to giggle. “Alright, well, I am cooking so I hope you’re all hungry,” she began as they all made their way to the kitchen.

“Lena has promised to make me a kept woman,” Kara japed.

“Oh no, Kara’s taking cooking lessons from me immediately. I think we can all agree she needs them,” Lena countered.

Everyone laughed, especially Alex and Dean. 

“You have your work cut out for you Luthor. Don’t let us down,” Alex commented.

“You really do,” Dean agreed.

Kara covered her face in embarrassment 

Kara, at long last, tried Lena’s cooking that day. And the brunette was absolutely right to brag. 

“Wait, does this mean I get another birthday?” Dean asked a while later. 

“No, that’s only when parents get divorced you dork, don’t you know that?” Sam said as she ruffled his hair. 

Everyone laughed. 

---

Lena sat in her backyard enjoying the breeze on a Friday afternoon. Like every Friday afternoon she’d had for months, she sat in her favorite spot on her couch with a drink in her hand, a cup of tea in this case. But unlike every Friday afternoon before, this time, she had Kara’s hand in the other. Their boys were playing fencing in the yard while Sam and Alex sat in front of Lena and Kara, talking and eating from the charcuterie board. Nia and Kelly played with Nia’s kid and Esme on the grass. 

Jess came in a little frantic from inside, “Sorry I’m late, traffic kept me.”

“Is that what they’re calling it now?” Sam winked as Jess flopped on the seat next to them. 

“I’m serious, it was traffic,” Jess insisted, “and maybe William before that,” she admitted after with a lip bite, earning an ‘oooh’ from Sam. “By the way, he’s totally in line now.”

“In line?” Kara asked with a raised brow. 

“He had the wrong idea about Lena so I’ve set him straight,” Jess said. 

“Is that what they’re calling it now?” Alex repeated in another tease. 

Jess blushed. “By the way, I got you the proposal you asked for,” she told Sam as she handed a USB to her.

“Thanks Jess, but actually, this one’s for Lena,” Sam placed it on the table.

“What’s this?” Lena asked. 

“I ran into an old friend last week and she’s been working on a pitch for her own company. It's kind of top secret for now, but she was wondering if you’d take a look. And I told her you’d be delighted since your newfound purpose is investing in businesses run by mothers.”

“Oh, you told her I’d take a look, did you?” Lena replied to which Sam hummed affirmatively. Lena didn’t know how she hadn’t seen it sooner. Her purpose wasn’t being PTA President, no, that was, like Sam had said, a distraction. Lena’s purpose was to help mothers like this, by investing in them and giving them the chance when no one else would, and by allowing them the grace of still caring for their kids as they grew their businesses. “I suppose I do have a soft spot for moms.” 

“And a lot of time on your hands starting in two days,” Jess commented, “when Kara takes over as the new PTA President officially.”

“Hey! No PTA business for you, you’re my assistant again,” Sam warned playfully. 

“I know, I know, I just had that on my calendar from before,” Jess stated with her hands raised. 

“You guys should go in the mustang,” Nia joined excitedly as she came up with one of her kids on her arm, “take your glasses off and wave your hair around as the breeze flows through it. Your heels clicking in the hall, both of you, arm in arm. Total power couple.”

Kara laughed at the suggestion. 

“Kara can barely drive a stick, she’s a menace in that car,” Alex added. 

“You ruin the moment!” Nia shoved her.

“How are you feeling about that? About handing over the title?” Kelly asked Lena as Esme ran about in the grass. 

“I’m feeling alright. It’s been an interesting month. I’ve been much less demanding in my last days of the presidency. Kinder too, I think. I even think some of the PTA moms like me now. Magaan told me the other day that she ‘didn’t know why she was ever scared of me’, so I think that’s a good sign,” Lena stated as she took a sip of her tea. 

“No more scary reputation, no more intimidating people, no more Ice Queen. Are you sure you can survive like that, Luthor?” Alex asked, no malice in her tone. She and Lena had more or less created this friendship with the occasional back and forth and none of the animosity of before. Lena liked it. 

“I have a new reputation now,” Lena said with a smile, to which Alex raised her brow, “one of kicking Danvers ass at game night,” Lena added. 

“Alright, Luthor. That’s it. You and me, right now, Jenga, let’s go!” Alex leaped from her seat to go get the game from Logan’s play room, in a dramatic display of frustration which she didn’t mean one bit. 

Lena shook her head and laughed, and so did the rest. 

She then turned to look at Kara next to her. The blonde raised the hands they had interlocked and pressed a kiss on Lena’s. Kara smiled at her and leaned in, pressing her forehead against her. Lena could smell her lavender hair, her perfume. 

Kara pulled back a little. “I love you,” she said so gently. 

It was just like that vision Lena had that brought her peace during her panic attack. 

She squeezed Kara’s hand to make sure it was real. She breathed in deeply. 

“I love you too,” Lena said right back and kissed her. 

This, she almost could not believe, was her new reality. 

---

Kara: Is it too early (and/or soon) to text you that I missed you? [8:55 a.m.]

Lena beamed at the message two days later. Lena had slept pretty well, aside from the fact that nothing compared to sleeping on Kara’s bed with her. 

Lena: Definitely too early, it’s not even 9 [8:56 a.m]

Kara: Got it [8:56 a.m.] 

Kara: I missed you [9:00 a.m.]

Lena beamed again and rolled her eyes at how much she loved Kara’s silly humor. 

Lena: I missed you too. [9:00 a.m.]

Kara: Are we still on for today?  [9:01 a.m.]

Lena: Yes.  [9:01 a.m.]

Kara: Pick you up at 3:00 p.m.  [9:02 a.m.]

---

The engine that had been roaring came to a stop as Kara parked at the school.

“Alex was right. You are a menace,” Lena stated from the passenger seat.  

“I am not! It’s the car,” Kara retorted as she and Lena began getting out of the car.

“Sure, blame the car,” Lena teased as she took her sunglasses off, flipped her hair and ran her fingers through it.

Kara stared at Lena. 

“What?” Lena asked.

“You did the move.”

“What move?”

“Sunglasses off, hair in the wind move. What Nia said.”

“Purely accidental,” Lena said with a small smile. 

“We are so a power couple,” Kara stated with a grin as she made her way to Lena’s side and put her arm out.

“Really?” Lena asked, blushing and pleasantly surprised.

“Yup. M’lady.”

“Dork,” she said as she took Kara’s arm. 

Together, they walked towards the school. 

Lena was a little nervous, so holding on to Kara was the most grounding thing she could do. This was her last day as PTA president. She was about to make the official announcement that Kara was now in charge. And for some insane reason, Kara thought it was a good idea to do it together (although quite possibly it was Nia’s idea first). Lena was maybe a little anxious, but she was sure she was carrying herself as usual, Kara couldn’t tell.

“You look a little anxious,” Kara noted, “I can go in before you if you like.”

“No, no. I’m not anxious about people seeing us together. It’s probably just my old conditioning, the idea of surrendering the position. But I’m ready.”

“You’re really doing this, huh?” Kara asked.

“I kind of have no choice, you did defeat me,” Lena said with a small smirk. 

Kara poked her.

“Exactly. Touché,” Lena said, a weight feeling like it was lifted from her shoulders at the recognition of defeat. Life was funny like that. Some you lose, some you love. 

“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help?” Kara asked.

Lena brought them to a halt. “Well, there is one thing. But we’ll be a few minutes late, which is something I’ve never done before.”

Kara raised a brow curiously. “I do like a bad girl.”

“Well, this bad girl got the idea from you.”

Kara’s brow remained high. 

“You did say you wanted to peruse the school grounds,” Lena said with a lip bite. 

Kara smiled in recognition. “I did say that.”

“It would be dangerous, we could get caught… again,” Lena said as she began to pull Kara from her shirt, looking around to see if anyone could see them. 

“Did I not also say my middle name was Danger?” 

Lena pulled Kara all the way into a classroom and Kara came alive, pushing from her end, putting Lena up against the first wall she could manage.

---

Lena would have been embarrassed at how quickly she came if she weren’t relaxing from the feeling.

Kara slowly pulled her fingers out of Lena and brought them to her own mouth, licking them clean and kissing Lena again. The whimper that escaped Lena’s mouth in surprise would have also been embarrassing if it weren’t for Kara’s enthusiastic response to it. 

“I wanted to do that the first time we did this, but I didn’t get the chance,” the blonde said as she pulled away.

“Fuck me,” Lena breathed out at the confession.

“You are kinda greedy, you know?” Kara teased.

Lena squinted at her and Kara chuckled. “But I like that. That you’re greedy for me,” she told the brunette.

Kara pulled back to fix her outfit. Lena nearly lost her footing when she tried to push away from the wall to stand, but she held herself up. Kara helped too.

“Okay, now we can go,” Lena told her.

And they made their way to the PTA room. 

Kara opened the door for her. They both walked in and all chatter died. Eyes widened and eyebrows shot up in befuddlement and wonder at their joined entrance.

Kara and Lena stood next to each other at the far end of the table. 

“Good morning everyone,” Lena began.

“Hi everyone!” Kara enthusiastically greeted. She smiled wider at Magaan who sat in one of the chairs.

“The first order of business today,” Lena began, “and my last order of business as PTA president is to name the new PTA president.” 

The moms sat in silence, their eyes sliding between Kara and Lena in an attempt to understand where all the hatred had gone, Lena guessed. 

“Is this when you crown me?” Kara teased. 

Lena held a smile.  “Does anyone have the sash?” she asked.

Kara lifted an eyebrow. “There’s an actual sash?”

“Yes there is. But no crown I’m afraid.”

“I got it,” Magaan stepped in and took out the sash from a bag nearby before handing it to Lena, who thanked her. Magaan seemed genuinely surprised by the thanks given. 

Lena took a breath in and smiled as she saw Kara’s beam. “I’ll just put it on you.”

“Oh no, that won’t do. You have to make the transition official. You have to say something official,” Kara pressed with a lip bite, raising her brows playfully.

Lena shook her head slightly at Kara’s small act of pestering. 

She took a breath and sighed audibly to show her annoyance, which wasn’t really much. 

“We could do it in line with tradition,” Magaan suggested.

“That sounds fun, yes, let’s do that,” Kara said with a smile.

“You have no idea what you’ve just signed up for,” Lena warned, to which Kara lifted a curious brow. “It’s an old tradition, but very well,” Lena said before turning to Magaan. “Magaan, could you do the honors?”

The surprise on Magaan’s face was not lost on Lena. Neither was the peripheral surprise of all the other moms at Lena’s quick acquiescence of Kara’s suggestion and her soft tone towards her. If she thought about it too long it made her apprehensive. It brought up all her worries of people’s opinions that historically made her pretend to be someone else. It made her think of all the things she wanted to not think about. What would people say? What would they think about Lena and Kara? About Lena with Kara? Would they sit there wondering why in the world Kara would be with a Luthor? Would they wonder how Lena deserved someone as good as Kara? Lena stopped her thoughts in their tracks. Screw those people. Right now, Kara was looking at her with a smile and the excitement of receiving the title that needed all her attention.

Magaan lifted the sash from Lena and brought it to Kara as she proclaimed “I now transfer this title to you, Kara Danvers, the new PTA president as chosen by the crowd in a legitimate vote.”

Kara’s mouth opened as if to recognize that she truly was not expecting this but she didn’t say anything. Lena lifted a brow as if to say ‘I told you so’, while Magaan went on. “Do you vow to hold this position in dignity, for better or worse school conditions, for hardship and ease, in sickness and in health. To lead with truth, honesty, and-”

“Oh for the love of God,” Lena interrupted. “Do you seriously want this to go on?”

“What? I wanted to know where it was headed!” Kara joked.

“It was headed to a part about upholding morality of the school, maintaining school purity and some more bullshit about ensuring the sanctity of the patriarchy. Oh, and of course traditional Catholic teachings. You still want to hear it?”

Lena was vaguely aware that she had just cursed for the first time ever in front of the moms and that there was some very low chatter occurring.

“It was an old tradition,” Magaan affirmed.

Lena had almost forgotten she was standing there.

“I'm sorry I cut you off Magaan,” Lena said.

“Oh, that’s okay. It sounded more ridiculous by the word. Glad you stopped me. I actually think we should come up with a new plan of succession,” she said kindly with a soft laugh at the end.

“There, your first order of business,” Lena proposed to Kara.

Kara stepped a little closer to Lena. They were barely 3 feet away before, but now she was up close. “I feel like we got married or something.”

Lena took a deep breath. “We didn’t,” she said firmly. She watched Kara’s smile fade before Lena went on, “because if we had, we would have had to say a couple of keywords. And you’d have to kiss the bride, to seal the deal.” 

Kara’s smile slowly began to widen. “You think I should kiss the bride? In front of… everyone?”

Lena smiled slightly. “I believe the words are… I do.”

Kara beamed as she leaned in and kissed Lena softly. A collective gasp was heard in the room. A very loud, very prominent and very surprised gasp. But Lena didn’t care. She grabbed Kara by her jaw and kissed her back.

When she pulled away she smiled at Kara, who she found just as delighted. “I’ll see you later madam president,” Lena teased.

“Oh damn, how did I never think of that while you were president?” Kara lamented.

“I guess I'll be the one having all the fun,” Lena said on her way out, a wink in Kara’s direction.

She didn’t care about the moms, with their jaws wide open, their confused looks, their judgment. To hell with them and their opinions. But to be honest, she even saw a few smiles. So maybe it wasn’t all bad. 

All Lena cared about was the woman she’d see later that night (who she’d hopefully see every morning and night from now on if she could help it). The woman who was now part of her family. The woman who saw her and had been inextricably linked to her life for many years. The woman with whom she could, at last , let her guard down. 

 

Notes:

It comes to an end :(
Thank you all for reading, it's been my longest fic ever (I hit the 100,000 word mark - something I thought I'd never do) and it really took some time and effort. In terms of word count for novels, I have pretty much written one for you guys.
Anyway, I think I'll just spend many more years thinking of how supercorp became real in a hundred different scenarios.
Until next time friends.

Notes:

Come and lets chat at my main blog My Sweet Obsessions
or my side blog: My Sweet Sinful Obsessions